The following documents are progress reports that follow chemical research studies in subjects such as ruthenium tetroxile distillations, extraction-scrub studies of zirconium and niobium, and oxidation of plutonium and stabilization of plutonium(VI) during extraction of IAF solutions.

Report describing how the neutralized aqueous waste from the TBP Metal Recovery Process will be concentrated by evaporation to minimize the requirements for underground storage tank capacity.

In answer to the question, "How well do we know the composition of the fuel material for the PRTR start-up tests?", the analytical data on the PRTR fuel elements and other fuel elements which were fabricated by similar processes was gathered and analyzed. The results of this analysis are presented.

Graphs for estimation of plutonium and trans-plutonium isotopic content of irradiated plutonium reactor fuel of various initial isotopic compositions.

Report from Hanford Laboratories concerning "the design and construction of the 100-N Reactor and heat dissipation plant complete with the necessary auxiliaries" (p. 2). Details of its construction and the plant's systems and instrumentation are described as well as economic considerations.

The following report observes infrared measurements in the region of OH bands, the C2O band vicinity, the low frequency end of the spectrum, and the region of the UO2 band on the system hexone - water - uranyl nitrate.

The fabrication processes applied to nuclear fuels are subject to severe limitations because of the conditions imposed by the reactor environment. The combined problems of neutrons fluxes, high heat fluxes, corrosion by the coolant , and embrittlement by hydriding or similar reactions may be minimized through establishing rigorous materials and fabrication specifications for fuel and cladding.

The following report describes the process to determine the method for determination of americium in the presence of plutonium and uranium.

The following report was made to determine the effective clarity improvement, flow rate characteristics, and operational problems encountered on passing Redox uranium feed solution through sintered, modified Type 304 stainless steel filter elements.

For many years effort has been directed toward the development of means for the practical utilization of the heat evolved from the radioactive decay of certain fission and irradiation products. Fission products, in view of their availability in the plentiful, high-level wastes resulting from the processing of irradiated, nuclear reactor fuels have been most intensively studied for applications where their heat of decay might be converted into useful energy such as electricity for the operations of certain devices in place of chemical batteries . In addition other materials having desired radioactive properties may be produced by neutron bombardment of readily available elements.

The construction and operation of a fission gas generator, containing about 25 grams of uranium in the form of a powder with a high specific surface, are described in detail. The purpose of the work discussed in this report was to examine the feasibility of producing, separating, and assaying samples of Xe135 in preparation for a proposed measurement of the neutron cross section of this isotope. Krypton and xenon are separated by selective adsorption on charcoal at reduced temperature while iodine is removed by charcoal sorption at room temperature.

One of the primary reasons for operating the high pressure KER loops is to obtain information concerning water quality control characteristics for recirculating water cooled reactors. The KER-1 loop is predominantly carbon steel and approximates the water quality conditions specified for the New Production Reactor (NPR).

A series of tests conducted in an attempt to reduce the observed O2 content of primary recirculation loop water to a value of <0.14ppm by the current loop method which is a combination of pressurizer degasification and venting flow.

Investigation of principles of pulse-column design and effects of operating variables.

An electromagnetic eddy current instrument is described that is capable of measuring copper and nickel plating 1 to 8 mils thick plated on bismuth mandrils of various sizes and shapes.

The ambient temperature of the Columbia River is of interest to the Aquatic Biology Operation since it provides a basis for controlling the temperatures in various experimental tanks which contain Columbia River organisms and since it provides some indication of whether conditions are favorable for the valuable species of fish living in the river. Since the start-up of the plant, temperatures of the river water have been taken in the several water treatment plants.

The PRTR pressure loop is an experimental facility to be installed in the Plutonium Recycle Test Reactor, Building 309, for use in testing the feasibility of reactor cooling systems utilizing high pressure water or steam as the coolant. It will furnish operating experience with such systems and serve to test fuel elements and components designed to operate in such environments.

Summary: "This investigation showed that a sound , weather-resistant coating can be applied to uranium that the surface to be plated is cleaned and etched properly. Using the proposed two-bath plating method at 80 C., a four-mil nickel coat can be deposited in thirteen hours."

Report evaluating different methods of preparing nitric acid solution and different methods of separating plutonium from this nitric acid solution of slag and crucible. Methods are explained and experimental data is given.

The Hanford Remote Pipetter has developed into a very useful tool for routine pipetting by semi-skilled non-technical personnel. Radiation exposure to the operators has decreased to normal background levels as proper shielding exists between the sample and the operator. The results achieved by the pipetter have demonstrated its flexibility and simplicity of operation.

Basic Studies. It has been reported previously that mixed crystals of PuO2 and UO2 have a higher sintering rate than UO2 alone. However, results to the contrary were obtained on addition to 1/4, 1/2, 1, 2, 5, and 10 w/o PuO2 to PWR grade UO2. Pellets of the above concentrations were heated for one hour in hydrogen at 100 C intervals from 1000 to 1600C.

The result of a leak in a PRTR process tube between the flow monitor and the heated section would be to increase the flow through the monitor, but to decrease the flow through the heated section. The concern for the case of small leaks is whether the increase in flow through the flow monitor is sufficient to cause a high flow tip and a reactor scram for the condition where the flow through the heated section is reduced to the point to cause excessive fuel element temperatures.

From introduction: "The prime motive behind the experiments described in this report and in those preceding it in this series is the desire to reduce the number of Redox cycles necessary for decontamination from fission products of the plutonium and uranium streams sufficient to allow final disposition of these two products...This report deals with the mechanics of manganese dioxide handing, laboratory development of manganese dioxide scavenging, and a series of experiments at multicurie level combining ruthenium volatilization and manganese dioxide scavenging in stainless steel equipment."

Report discussing a study of various types of mercuric salts in order to determine which salt prevents the evolution of iodine which results from sparging.