Technical report. Numerous application of various column adsorption techniques to inorganic analytical chemistry have appear in the literature. The comparatively recent introduction of ion exchange resins has resulted in the development of efficient, simple, and rapid column adsorption methods. the principal service of column adsorption methods to analytical chemistry is that of providing a relatively simple means of separating an element in a sufficiently pure state so that a direct precipitation, ignition, and weighting, for example, will suffice to complete the quantitative analysis. Systems involving uranyl nitrate will naturally be emphasized in this report but information will be included concerning the separation of the individual members of a series from one another, such as in the alkaline earths and the rare earths.

Abstract. Slow neutron transmission measurements as a function of the time of flight of the incident neutron have been made for three different thicknesses of Beryllium. The energy region from 0.004 eV to 50 eV was investigated using the Columbia neutron beam spectrometer system. Particular emphasis was placed on the very low energy region (from 0.004 eV tp 0/2 eV or from 0.6 to 5 [length]) where pronounced crystal interference effects were observed. The effective slow neutron cross section (in the unity of X 10(-24)ce(2)atom) for several different energy values were: 6.1 at 0.2 [length], 3.5 at 1.5 [length], 2.3 at 2.5 [length] and 0.6 at 4.6 [length]. The positions of the discontinuities in the cross section agree fairly well with the values obtained from the X-ray measurements.

Experiments wee performed to evaluate the feasibility of detecting swelled slug elements in Hanford reactors by measuring the force necessary to push the slug column in its tube. These experiments are described. The results indicate the method presents no unsolvable problems.

This report follows a series of tests run to determine the shielding properties of beryllium oxide, conducted at the Battelle Lid-Tank Shielding Facility. Neutron and gamma penetrations through and behind beryllium oxide were measured.

From introduction: "On February 1, 1956, Batelle was awarded a contract by the Army Reactor Branch (ARB) to select, develop, and test core materials which could be used successfully in conducting a Gas Cooled Reactor Experiment (GCRE). The prime objective of the GCRE would be to evaluate small portable reactor systems for military application...The present report is concerned with the GCRE activities at Batelle during approximately the 7 months' period following the first report of this series, BMI-1133. It is primarily concerned with a detailed evaluation of the reference materials as well as of the impact of one material upon the other."

Abstract: The nonmetallic inclusions in both as-reduced and fabricated dingot uranium have been studied for comparison with those in ingot uranium. Special attention was paid to the hydride for the purpose of determining the amount and distribution in the various types of uranium. The types and distribution of other inclusions were also studied. It was found that the dingot uranium was of a higher quality than ingot uranium and was comparable to as-reduced derby uranium on the basis of over-all inclusion count. The hydrogen content in dingot uranium, however, was found to be appreciably higher than in either ingot or derby uranium.

Report discussing a method of evaluating factors relevant to the creation of sound uranium castings. From abstract: "A mathematical model has been developed to calculate the time-temperature relationships in a cylindrical uranium casting during its solidification. Finite-difference equations are used, and the solution is obtained by use of a digital computer."

Abstract: "Fabrication techniques for making metal-ceramic fuel elements containing 60 to 90 volume per cent of UN or UO2 in a Type 302B stainless steel matrix was investigated. A hot press-forging procedure was most successful for fabricating fuel cores with a density of 90 per cent of theoretical or better. This procedure consisted of sealing the cold-pressed core compacts in stainless steel picture-frame packs, heating to 1900 F, and pressing to a total reduction in thickness of 35 per cent. A pressure of approximately 50 tsi ores used. Specimens produced by this method were evaluated on the basis of their microstructure, modules if rupture, electrical conductivity, and resistance to thermal shock. Microscopic and macroscopic examination showed the presence of a continuous metal skeleton even in specimens containing 90 volume per cent fuel. The modulus of rupture at room temperature varied from 22,500 psi for a specimen cnotaining 63 volume per cent UO2. Both the electrical conductivity and resistance to thermal shock of UO2 were improved by the addition of a small volume of metal. Gas-pressure-bonding techniques appear promising for clodding these cores into composite elements."

Report presenting results of a study regarding the critical masses and nuclear properties of plutonium as well as the use and effects of various tampers.

"In these studies ions of several-kilovolts energy were extracted from an ion source located inside one of the peaks of the mirror field...The extraction slot of the source is located near the field injection plane, about midway between the mirror peak and the center, and ions are injected perpendicularly to magnetic field lines. In their traversal of the distance between the mirrors, the ions are in an inhomogeneous magnetic field and have a component of velocity along curved field lines. This gives rise to a to a 'guiding center' drift in the azimuthal direction and prevents the particle trajectory from intersecting the ion source after the first reflection. The magnetic field is increased during the injection period by an amount sufficient to move the reflection surface inside the ion source region by the time the ions have precessed completely about the symmetry axis."

"Results of tests indicate that the nucerite-bearium seal system is compatible. This combination was operated as long as 9 hours without serious damage. In other work, the test rig was modified to eliminate pressure fluctuations and extraneous dirt, and Type IIA seal parts were designed."

A exploratory study was made of a polarographic technique in which an alternating sine or square-wave potential is superimposed upon the applied d.c. potential of the polarographic scan. Recording of the a.c. component of the polarographic current results in derivative-type waves. It was shown that the technique yields greater sensitivity and greater selectivity than normal polarographic technique.

Report presenting the properties and method of preparation of zirconium nitride, a compound that was being considered for use in high temperatures due to its high melting point and hardness.

Abstract: The erroneously high values for uranium content of salvage solutions as determined by the ether extraction-ascorbic acid procedure have been demonstrated to be due to the presence of colored organic materials in these solutions. Evaporation of such solutions to fumes of HC104 before extraction has been shown to be completely successful in preventing such interference while pretreatment with activated carbon is sufficiently successful for application in Control laboratories. Complete procedures for application of either protreatment and results of such application to composite salvage solutions received over a six-month period are included.

The following report provides data that was discovered from a preliminary literature survey that was made to define the utility of the newer refractory ceramics or ceramic-based materials.

The following report analyzes several reported incidents of uranium-rich zirconium-uranium explosions. This report offers notes designed to describe conditions sufficient to cause an explosion with an 80% wt. uranium alloy.

Tory 11-A, the first experimental reactor in the Pluto nuclear ramjet program, will be tested in late 1960 at the Nevada Test Site of the Atomic Energy Commission. The fundamental objective of Tory II-A is to demonstrate that a high power density, high-temperature, air-cooled reactor can be successfully designed, constructed, and operated. This application places requirements on the reactor control system which are considerably more stringent than those found in previous reactor systems, both from the standpoint of radiation environment and system performance. To fulfill the system requirements a high-performance reactor control system has been designed and built; control actuation hardware has been developed which can withstand the high-radiation environment of Tory LI-A. This actuation system features radiation-tolerant electrohydraulic components: actuators, servo-valves, solenoid valves, feedback transducers, accumulators and associated hydraulic components. To provide high reliability against undesired shutdowns while carrying out high power level transients, the Tory 11-A control philosophy includes a new concept in reactor safety: reliance on a nonlocking, fast-reset safety system during accident situations. The fast-reset system acts so as to hold the programmed power level rather than initiating an irreversible "scram" action. A reactor "scram", if tolerated, could produce thermal shocks which would seriously damage the …

Abstract: "Photographic plates have been used to measure the energy of neutrons from the fission of 25. The spectrum as inferred from the ranges of 850 protons recoiling in the forward direction shows a very wide maximum at ~1.5 Mev with an exponentially decreasing high energy tail which extends beyond 7 Mev. The minimum energy neutrons recorded were ~700 kv. If the spectrum is extrapolated to zero, one finds that this average neutron energy is about 1.85 Mev. The stopping power of the plates was calibrated by the use of monochromatic neutrons from the Li-7(pn) Be-7 reaction and the d-d reaction."

Abstract: "A summary of the contents of numerous reports on the liquid phase proportion of uranium chloride."

Abstract: The number of photons of given energy radiated in Bremsstrahlung collision of electrons with nuclei is calculated relativistically. Expansions are obtained for energies small to mc-squared. The photon spectrum is averaged over a Maxwell distribution for the electrons. Numerical results are included.

Summary: The Regnault Method as applied to tritium purity determinations is described. The operating difficulties, such as temperature and humidity changes, static charges, excessive vibrations, contamination with air and helium, etc., and the methods currently in use for minimizing such difficulties, are discussed. A discussion of ion-chamber calibrations, and the correlation of ion-chamber results with Regnault Method results, are included. A precision of ±1% has been obtained, but the accuracy is not yet known.

The following report describes the welding procedures for welding austenitic stainless steel to carbon steel through a shielded metal-arc process, including the safety precautions and post-production process.

Gradual corrosion and mechanical wear of equipment over a period of years has affected the seals and gasketing of the electric pot calcining equipment in the 224-U Building Cell E to such an extent that the desirable vacuum cannot be maintained in the pots. Air contamination has been gradually increasing, and this, together with a lowering of the mask working limits, has made it necessary to require personnel to wear assault masks continuously. Indications are that, with the increased production now required, the level of air contamination will continue to rise unless measures are taken to prevent it. The Manufacturing Department has requested that a project be established to reduce the contamination level. Several items of improvement are listed for consideration including, in general, the electric pot agitation and sealing, semi-automatic pot unloaders, cell ventilation and air locks, and the nitric acid off-gas system and stacks. Because of the urgency of improving the conditions, the project, at first, is to provide for immediate improvements for the electrical pot agitation, the pot cover leakage, and the nitric acid off-gas system and stack. Additional study will be required to determine the extent of the ventilation and semi-automatic unloading improvements required.

Uranium was plastically deformed 90% at room temperature by unidirectional rolling to a foil 0.002-inches thick. Specimens were recrystallized in the alpha region and several pole figures obtained from 0 to 40 degrees. From these, the preferred orientation was found to be in a spread of idealized (11) [010] about [010].