Leach rates for /sup 237/Np and /sup 239/Pu are investigated with a single-pass leaching system. The factorial experimental design uses several combinations of solution composition and flow rate, and two temperatures, 25 and 75/sup 0/C. The 25/sup 0/C results are compared with those from a modified IAEA procedure. At 25/sup 0/C, leach rates decrease with time. Agreement between results from the single-pass and modified IAEA methods is fair with WIPP brine leachant, good with NaHCO/sub 3/, and good with distilled H/sub 2/O. Leach rates are approximately independent of flow rates at room temperature, but increase with flow rates at high temperature. Rates for /sup 237/Np increase with temperature, but those for /sup 239/Pu either decrease or do not change with temperature. 7 figures.

An automated system for the performance of ion-exchange chromatography with corrosive solvents has been built. It is LSI-II microcomputer controlled and is capable of selecting six sample/solvents and collecting six separate fractions. Preliminary results on the separation of plutonium from 8M HNO/sub 3/ solutions indicate that the system can achieve chemical yields, analytical accuracy, and precision fully comparable to manual column operation at a considerable savings of operator time.

Voitenko compressors are used to generate 43 mm/..mu..s air shocks in both a steel and a grout outlet pipe containing ambient atmospheric air. Fiber-optic ports provide diaphragm burst times, time-of-arrival (TOA) data, and velocities for the shock front along the 20-mm-ID exit pipes. Pressure profiles are obtained at higher enthalpy shock propagation than ever before and at many locations along the exit pipes. Numerous other electronic sensors and postshot observations are described, as well as experimental results. The primary objectives of the experiments are as follows: (1) provide a data base for normalization/improvement of existing finite-difference codes that describe high-energy air shocks and gas propagation; (2) obtain quantitative results on the relative attenuation effects of two very different wall materials for high-energy air shocks and gas flows. The extensive experimental results satisfy both objectives.

The status of the following studies is given: calorimetry and thermodynamics of nuclear materials; americium recovery and purification; optimization of the cation exchange process for recovering americium and plutonium from molten net extraction residues; evaluation and comparison of bidentate extractants and methods for actinide recovery; a combined anion exchange-bidontate organophosphorus extraction process for molten salt extraction residues; a combined anion exchange-extraction chromatography technique for secondary recovery; plutonium recovery in the Advanced Size Reduction Facility; decontamination of Rocky Flats soil; separating lead and calcium from americium by chromate and oxalate precipitation; demonstration of the pyroredox process in the induction-heated, tilt-pour furnace; process development for recovery of americium from vacuum melt furnace crucibles; plutonium peroxide precipitation process; and a comparative study of annular and Raschig ring-filled tanks.

A rapid and reliable method for analyzing technetium-99 in a wide variety of environmental samples, including waters, soils, stream sediments, and vegetations, has been developed. The procedure entails oxidizing the technitium to the heptavalent state and dissolving it in 6 N sulfuric acid. From that medium the technetium is quantitatively and selectively extracted into tributyl phosphate. A portion of the extract is then added to a scintillation cocktail, and technetium-99 activity is measured by liquid scintillation counting. Since a relatively large sample can be handled, the method can detest as little as 0.016 pCI /sup 99/Tc/ml water, 0.1 pCi /sup 99/Tc/g soil or sediment, and 0.2 pCi /sup 99/Tc/g vegetation. The procedure has also been adapted to analyzing urine samples, in which technetium activity as low as 0.12 pCi/ml can be detected.

High-frequency electromagnetic probing is used to monitor the rate and direction of flow of fluids injected into the ground. This method shows the potential for providing more detailed information than procedures presently used. The experimental technique and the test-of-concept experimental results are discussed. This technique has applications in oil-reservoir engineering and in hydrology studies concerning storage of chemical and nuclear wastes. 11 figures.