Introduction: Static, total immersion corrosion tests were carried out at room temperatures with Carboloy grades 44-A, 78, 907, X-3119-A and X-3119-B in Redox process solutions (ANL, June 1, 1949 Flowsheet) 1AX, 1AF, and 1AS.

A report which deals with the Redox IA Column studies made in small-scale columns packed with 3/16-in. Fenske helices and using NH4NO3 salting agent.

Abstract: "The critical mass both of an untamped and water-tamped sphere with parabolic radial variation of the intrinsic buckling is calculated by a perturbation method. The result is applied to finding the minimum critical mass of plutonium in water suspension with infinite water temper; the calculations show that the minimum critical mass at constant concentration may be reduced by an amount of the order of 7.6% when the concentration of plutonium is permitted to vary throughout the suspension."

Summary: "Criticality was considered impossible in any contingency encountered in practice under either of the following conditions which include no safety factor: (a) In any isolated cylinder not more than 5 in. in disruptor, if the total amount of U235 present does not exceed 7.5 Eg. (b) In an isolated vessel of any shape and size, if the total amount of U235 present does not exceed 880 g. An "isolated" vessel is one which does not "see" more than 0.1 [...] other vessels containing fissionable material."

The following report examines methods to determine uranium nitrate hexahydrate on pretreated hexone in the range of 0 to 40 g./l. by infrared absorption measurements.

Objective: "The observations summarized in the present report were made to determine the stability of ferrous and sulfamate ions and sulfamic acid in RA Column scrub solution (RAS) and in aqueous solution comparable to the RA Column feed tee composition (RAFS). Knowledge of the stability of the reducing agent (ferrous iron) is necessary to properly plan the method of preparation and introduction of this component into the RA system and to assure dependable and reproducible performance."

Introduction: "A laboratory investigation of the relative corrosion resistance of several austenitic stainless steels to the RAW stream of the Tributyl Phosphate Waste Metal Recovery Process was made during the first quarter of 1950. The results of this investigation are reported herein; all original data are recorded in laboratory notebook HW-3282-T."

Introduction: "A corrosion test program, to determine the suitability of LaBour B-55 and Worthite for use in the construction of circulating pumps for th UO3 process has been completed and the data are appended."

Introduction: A limited test progress on Alloghany-Ludlum type 347 stainless steel plate which failed the Huey test (ASTN A-262-44T) has been completed.

This report follows an investigation on how hydrolysis products of tributyl phosphate (such as dibutyl and monobutyl phosphoric acids, orthophosphoric acid and butanol) effect the tributyl phosphate process for uranium recovery.

From introduction: "Analytical procedures for the determination of plutonium samples from the extraction and concentration plants utilize the carrying of the hydroxylamine-reduced trivulent plutonium by coprecipitation on lanthanum fluoride. Most other plutonium procedures also take advantage of the efficient carrying on lanthanum fluoride."

This report has been prepared to review the status of design for buried waste line and presents the major factors involved in support of the conclusions. This report is the second in a series reporting on the general subject of underground corrosion. The first on cathodic protection of waste lines noted the technology of stainless steel and its effect on existing waste line and recommended continued use of the cathodic protection. Experience with buried stainless pipe had shown that, unless protected, such installations are subject to severe pit corrosion. As designs developed the use of encasements has become a standardized approach. This discussion will evaluate this trend.

The operating lives of Redox Process mechanical equipment are given. Tables are included which give the operating hours, reason for failure, position, and original date installed.

In discussion with a number of people at HAPO, KAPL and ANL a hypothesis has been evolved which appears to fit available information concerning irradiation embrittlement of uranium as well as indicate a possible solution to the problem. The purpose of this memorandum is to expound the hypothesis as an aid to those working with the problem. Since it imbodies the ideas of many people, no claim to unique authorship is implied.

This report contains the results of tests which demonstrated the feasibility of using graphite labyrinth type seals, i.e., a bushing machined with alternate grooves and lands on the inside diameter to create a sufficient pressure drop to provide a satisfactory seal.

This twenty-second quarterly report of the research and development activities of the Radiological Sciences Department, Hanford Atomic Products Operations, as before, includes some items charged to control but included for general interest. Such are identified as "not charged to research." The previous report of this series was numbered: HW-34408 January 10, 1955

An electrical conductivity technique was developed to determine the dilution-displacement rate of an electrolyte in a well from which data the velocity of the water through the well can be calculated. The electrical current flow between two of the electrodes in a well drops proportionately with the dilution and the displacement of the electrolyte by fresh water entering the well. The drop of electrical current flow over a period of time was applied to a derived equation to obtain a value for ground water velocity. The technique gives results comparable to other methods and some problems of the standard methods of measuring ground water velocity are eliminated. However, a correction factor for porosity of the aquifier must be used in the derived equation. Porosity values are not adequately known in most cases, therefore the ground water velocity figures are generally relative rather than absolute.

The objective of this report is to set forth the design of automatic mechanical equipment developed for use with HAPO nondestructive test instruments.

Buckling measurements were taken with hollow natural uranium slugs in graphite-moderated lattices, in which the lattice spacing was varied from 6 3/16 to 15 inches in five steps. A 1.66" O.D. slug was used with two different core sizes, 1.11" I.D. and 0.81" I.D. The results of wet (water in the core) and dry measurements are reported. Buckling curves are given showing the effect on the buckling of coring the slug and placing water in the core. Simple three-region diffusion theory is applied to the measured lattices in an effort to correlate measurement with theory, but with only limited success.

A metallurgical examination of several resistance thermometers for 105-KW were examined before startup (1). This examination revealed that the silver brazes joining the type 305 stainless steel blades to the type 416 stainless steel nuts were defective. The braze metal did not penetrate into the joint; the brazes were porous and appeared to be inadequately bonded to the type 416 nuts. After startup of KW, many of the thermometers became inoperative, and several were visually examined to determine the integrity of the units. The presence of corrosion products at the junction of the braze and the nut led to further metallurgical examination of the brazed joints. Twenty units from 105-KW, 12 prototype units from 105-H, and two "new model" units were included in this examination. The examination was conducted to determine the cause and nature of the failures observed on units under service conditions.

The Reactor Design and Development Unit has just completed a design concept for an intermediate capacity dual purpose reactor plant utilizing carbon steel for the primary loop portion outside the reactor. This design concept is reported in HW-33157 AD (2). The economic and engineering gains are of sufficient magnitude to justify an accelerated and extensive test program to completely evaluate the remaining unknowns in utilizing carbon steel as a stainless steel substitute. It is the purpose of this document to up-date and elaborate the information contained in the two previous documents (1). . It is the further purpose to define the program required to implement the design concept developed by the Reactor Design and Development Unit (2) utilizing carbon steel as the primary loop structural material.

It is recommended that self-concentration of Purex wastes should not be started until much more complete knowledge is obtained of the conditions and reactions in these wastes. The presently planned tests in the Semi-Works will be a practical demonstration of the problems but will be of little value on the initial Purex wastes as these tests are being run almost concurrent with the filling of the first Purex storage tank.

As part of an investigation of solvent stability, a direct analysis of recycled Uranium Recovery Plant solvent* has been made to determine the type, source, and properties of the impurities which have been generated in the solvent and are present in the solvent after it has been in use for some time. This work has been directed towards the separation and identification of the impurities by compound class, and the conclusions are set forth in this report. Another purpose of this report is to present the separation scheme employed, which will likely find similar application.

Eight zirconium and eight Zircaloy-2 process tube samples were irradiated in the "H" test loop, Tube 0961-H, so that the corrosion tendencies of the material might be evaluated when exposed to radiation. The samples were delivered to the Radio-metallurgy Building in January, 1955, and examined as requested by C. D. Wilson of the Pile Development Unit, Pile Technology Section.