Report discussing a study of various resistance-welding methods for end capping PWR uranium oxide fuel rods. Flash, upset, and spot welding were all investigated.

The following report analyzes the results taken from studies on the characteristics of the bond interface formed between zircaloy 2 and uranium-12 w/o molybdenum alloys.

Abstract: And investigation of the interactions between 300-Mev neutrons and xenon was made by means of a cloud chamber in a pulsed magnetic field of 21,700 gauss placed in the neutron beam of the 184-inch Berkeley cyclotron. Eighty-seven negative pion events and 257 other stars were analyzed. In addition an experimental check was made on the energy of the incoming neutrons. Classification, identification, and angular and energy distributions of prongs associated with all events are presented. Interpretations of results are given.

From abstract: "A fine-grain emulsion has been found which is sensitive only to the densely ionizing fission fragments. This emulsion was soaked in uranyl acetate and exposed to slow neutrons. The ranges in the emulsion of about four-hundred fission fragments were measured. The resulting distribution shows a sharp maximum at 23 microns of emulsion. No ternary fissions or large-angle scattering of fragments were observed."

"A brief examination of the post irradiation grafting of machine irradiated polyethylene film with acrylic acid monomer was made. Evidence of postgrafting was detected in samples that had been irradiated to a total dose of 10 Mrads at a dose rate of 0.01 Mrad/sec. and then exposed to a 25% purified acrylic acid solution in benzene for periods of 1 to 4 days."

Hydrogen peroxide has been used to reduce plutonium (VI) in nitric acid solution to the (IV) valence state. However, reduction of plutonium (VI) solutions containing iron has often been incomplete when hydrogen peroxide was used as the reducing agent. Since reduction of plutonium (VI) has been applied in plant solutions containing iron, a study of the plutonium (VI) reduction with hydrogen peroxide was undertaken. Variables tested included plutonium, nitric acid, and iron concentrations.

In the Columbia River downstream from Richland, Washington there is a gradual decrease in concentration of radioactive isotope. At any one location there are fluctuations due to factors such as dilution and decay time. During this period at all locations the concentration of alpha particle emitters in water averaged below the detection limit. Beta particle emitters in water upstream of McNary Dam decreased slightly due to increased river flow this quarter, with averages at various locations. Downstream from McNary Dam, beta particle emitter average concentrations in water were about the same as the past three quarters.

Entrained solids have in the past been one of the major factors limiting solvent extraction fission product decontamination. These solids are known to be surface active, to absorb fission products, and to form interfacial films or "cruds". A major step in eliminating these cruds was taken when the Purex columns were modified to operate with the interfaces at the waste ends of the columns rather than the product ends. This type of operation tended to flush the solids out with the waste rather than the product streams.