A solution of Pu was prepared for use in a re-investigation of the present 49 titration method. Three 500 microliter portions of the sample were dried and ignited to PuO{sub 2}. From the weight of the residue and the impurity analysis, the concentration, in g/l, of the solution was found to be 222.2, 221.5, and 222.5; average of 222.0. The six samples submitted to the control laboratory in Bldg. 231 were reported as: 219.3, 223.6, 221.5, 220.9, 222.3, and 228.2 (re-run 229.3); average of 222.6 g/l. The 234-5 Laboratory reported: 228.2, 233.3, 220.2, 236.1, 225.2 (re-run 220.6), and 227.9; average of 227.3 g/l. Since the standardization was carried out on April 13, the 231 Lab received its samples on May 11, and the 234-5 Lab received their samples on May 23, a correction for increase in concentration due to decomposition of the water by alpha particles and evaporation was calculated. It was determined that the results reported by the 231 Lab were very consistent (except for one determination) and that the average value agreed with the gravimetric determination. The average results from the 234-5 Lab are 2% higher than the gravimetric results. Further studies are being made on the chemical …

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Uranium is recovered as an aqueous solution of uranyl nitrate and nitric acid in both the tributyl phosphate metal recovery process and the Redox separation process. The streams are designated as RCU and IIIEU in the respective processes. For metal recovery these streams are combined. The purpose of the nitric removal operation is to minimize equipment corrosion and to restrict contamination of the final uranium oxide with corrosion products which might be formed in the elevated temperature reactor employed for the decomposition of uranyl nitrate to the oxide. Because of the large quantities of uranium being processed it is desirable to conduct the concentration of the combined RCU and IIIEU streams in a continuous type process to reduce the operating and fixed charges. Determination of the physical and chemical properties of the dilute aqueous uranyl nitrate -- nitric acid system, as it progresses toward an essentially nitric acid free concentrated state, is necessary to define the optimum operating conditions.

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Fission-production of krypton-85 in natural uranium piles is substantial and in direct proportion to plutonium production. The known chemical and nuclear properties of krypton are such as to permit its determination in air samples taken at considerable distance from its force and to allow correlation of such measurements with plutonium production.

The microgram scale isolation and preparation of pure compounds of americium is described. Data are presented to show that the alpha-half-life of the isotope Am{sup 241} is 490 {+-} 14 years. The absorption spectrum of Am(III) in 1M nitric acid in the range 3500-8000 mu is given. The wave lengths of 10 of the most prominent lines in the copper spark emission spectrum of americium are given to the nearest 0.01 {angstrom}. Evidence is presented to show that the potential for the Am(III)-Am(IV) couple in acid solution is more negative than -2v and that the potential for the Am(II)-Am(III) couple is more positive than +0.9v.

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The purpose of this manual is to present a Hazard Breakdown of all jobs normally encountered in the laboratory work of the three sections comprising the Analytic Section, Metallurgy and Control Division of the Technical Department. A Hazard Breakdown is a careful analysis of any job in which the source of possible dangers is clearly indicated for each particular step. The analysis is prepared by individuals who are thoroughly familiar with the specific job or procedure. It is felt that if the hazards herein outlined are recognized by the Laboratory personnel and the suggested safety cautions followed, the chance for injury will be minimized and the worker will become generally more safety conscious. The manual, which is prefaced by the general safety rules applying to all the laboratories, is divided into three main sections, one for each of the three sections into which the Laboratories Division is divided. These sections are as follows: Section 1 -- 200 Area Control; Section 2 -- 100 Area Control; Section 3 -- 300 Area Control, Essential Materials, and Methods Improvement.

This is a progress report of the production reactors on the Hanford Reservation for the month of June 1950. This report takes each division (e.g., manufacturing, medical, accounting, occupational safety, security, reactor operations, etc.) of the site and summarizes its accomplishments and employee relations for that month.

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Most methods of separating isotopes depend on the use of a large magnetic field. The isotron is an electromagnetic device for separating isotopes, but it effects the separation by the use of radiofrequency voltages instead of magnetic fields. It has the advantage that plane sources of large area can be used instead of the slit sources to which most magnetic methods are limited. Before entering into any discussion of the details, a simplified description of the principles of the method is given.

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A method for the paper chromatography of sterols involving impregnated paper has been developed.

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The purpose of this memorandum is to present and analyze, in terms of the current status of knowledge of radiation damage to graphite, the data available at the present time on the expansion status of the graphite in the piles, and suggest, in terms of this analysis, several possibly feasible curative and preventive measures. The portion of the data to be covered in this memorandum consists of that obtained during the last four years from pile motion measurements and from tube bowing measurements, and particularly that from graphite mining operations during the last six months. The objective to be attained is twofold: (1) the information developed here should permit a better understanding of the need for and development of future corrective measures to be applied to the present piles, and (2) this summary will serve as a basis for further experimental work necessary to place the conclusions on a more firm foundation. This memorandum is being issued at this time, although present ideas and conclusions are in a somewhat uncertain state, in the hope that the currently most feasible preventive measure might be applied to the DR Pile before startup.

This is the second of a series of Quarterly Progress Reports. While most of the departments have summarized their work or used a form comparable to abstracts, the Chemistry Department has given both abstracts and complete reports on its work. The major part of the progress in the Reactor Science and Engineering Department is being presented simultaneously in a separate classified report. There are reports from the following departments: (1) physics department; (2) instrumentation and health physics department; (3) accelerator project; (4) chemistry department; (5) reactor science and engineering department; (6) biology department; and (7) medical department.

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The gas exchange by barley leaves of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and added radiocarbon dioxide has been measured in a closed system, with the following results: 1. Carbon dioxide follows different but not necessarily independent paths in photosynthesis and light respiration. 2. The carbon of newly formed photosynthetic intermediates is not available for respiration while the light is on, but becomes immediately respirable in the dark, The enhancement of dark respiration after a light period is largely due to built-up ''photosynthates.'' 3. Photosynthesis proceeds at a measurable rate even at the lowest CO{sub 2} pressures observed (0.03 mm Hg). There is no evidence for a ''threshold'' concentration of carbon dioxide for the reaction; at the lowest concentrations reached, respiration exactly equals assimilation, 4. The mean rate of respiratory CO{sub 2} evolution in strong light was found to be less than that in the dark. Internal re-photosynthesis of respiratory carbon may have been sufficient to account for this effect. 5. The assimilation of C{sup 14}O{sub 2} is about 17% slower than that of C{sup 12}O{sub 2}.

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