Technical report summarizing our knowledge of the chemical effects of ionizing radiation upon water and upon aqueous solutions of inorganic compounds. The types of radiation considered are beta rays, gamma and X rays, and heavy particles, notably neutrons, deuterons, alpha rays and fission recoils.

From introduction: This is the first in a series of reports describing an investigation of the chemistry of uranium(VI) orthophosphate solutions which is at present underway in this laboratory. Spectrophotometric, potentiometric and solubility studies have been carried out, and it is the first of these which is reported here.

Abstract: The output signal of a linear accelerator may have a rise time of 1-2 x 10[minus]7 seconds. Therefore, the output of a pulse height selector operating on this signal has a variation of delay from the original signal of about this amount. In the instrument to be described in this technical report this difficulty is largely resolved.

From abstract: "An investigation of the radiation stabilities of aqueous solutions of sodium ethylenediamine tetraacetate and sodium acetate was made using a 3000-curie Co⁶⁰ source...A study of the behavior of the standard-size Beckman type glass pH electrodes in a solution containing 0.36 curie of Ce¹⁴⁴-Pr¹⁴⁴ activity per milliliter showed the useful electrode life to be of the order of two to eight days."

Abstract. Chemical analytical studies of graphite raw materials have revealed new sources of petroleum cokes and pitches of greater purity than those previously used in the manufacture of project graphite. The use of these raw materials of exceptional purity has resulted in an improvement in k of the order of one per cent as compared with the AGOT-AGNT graphite typical of the previous production. A study of the graphitizing process has shown that no dangerous impurities are introduced in the graphite in manufacture; rather, the process actually purifies. furthermore, impurities are distributed homogeneously within the furnace charge; thus the AGOT-AGNT distinction is no longer necessary. A comparison of the methods of graphite testing has demonstrated excellent correlations between chemical analytical data, the results of the function test at Argonne, and the sigma pile experiments. It may therefore be inferred that chemical testing should be an adequate control of the graphite purity. Methods are described for the analysis of ash, B, V, TI, FE, and Ca in petroleum coke, pitch, and graphite.

Laboratory studies have shown that the double salt, CaF2-PuF4, can be precipitated by rapid addition of hydro-fluoric acid to solutions containing 25 to 75 g Pu/1, caleium equimolar to plutonium, and 1 to 10 M HNO3. The precipitate, which is subsequently washed with water and dried to 300 degrees C in dehumidified, deoxygenated argon, can be reduced thermally by calcium to give high yields of plutonium metal.

This technical report provides a general description of the Brookhaven National Laboratory, describing the nuclear characteristics of the Brookhaven reactor and more detailed descriptions of the features and instrumentation of the reactor.

Introduction: "Based on experimental data and on conservative theoretical considerations, an estimate has been made of the relation of the mining U-235 critical mass to the hydrogen moderation for uranium material at the U-235 assays for which experimental information is available. These estimates have been used in indicating maximum safe amounts for conditions where definite moderation limitations can be established."

This report follows calculations performed to determine the effect of epithermal capture on the value of eta to be used in lattice calculations.

Report describing potential correlations of magnetic susceptibilities of the elements thorium, uranium, and plutonium with their crystal structures.

This quarterly progress report discusses ongoing work at the Metallurgy Division at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Topics discussed include thorium research, the preferred orientation of uranium, studies in the ceramics laboratory, the homogenous reactor program, studies in the x-ray laboratory, studies in the metallographic laboratory, the experimental plate-cladding program, and fuel and control element fabrication.

Report discussing various procedures for recovering tuballoy from tuballoy tetrafluoride, also called "green salt." Results from trial runs of each procedure are presented.

The leaching behavior, thickening and filtering characteristics and recovery of uranium from high grade uranium ore from Rum Jungle, Northern Territory, Australia are described.

Technical report summarizing one phase of work done to develop methods of bonding uranium to a metal which is a good conductor of heat. Silver was chosen for contact with uranium because it is easy to plate on uranium and there is no danger of brittle Ag-U compounds being formed at elevated temperatures. [From Abstract]

Abstract: "A method is described for determining moisture on uranium and uranium oxides. This method should also be applicable to solid samples which, when heated, do not decompose to form water or liberate a substance which will react with Fischer's reagent. The method should be especially applicable to samples which are insoluble in alcohol or Karl Fischer reagent under normal titration conditions, or which will themselves react with the reagent. The amount of moisture on uranium and uranium oxide was found to be 0.02% except when the oxide was found to be 0.02% except when the oxide source was uranyl sulfate. In this case, the moisture content was found to be 0.1%. Modifications of the procedure and apparatus are presented for improving the accuracy and shortening the time necessary for the determination."

A series of pilot plant runs were made on the Jackpile ore, Jackpile mixed blend, Jackpile-Poison Valley blend, and Jackpile-Arrowhead blend.

In solving the two-group, two medium equations for neutron diffusion in a finite one-dimensional multiplying system, the equations in each medium can be solved, and the boundary conditions used to determine the coefficients. This direct attack involves eight simultaneous linear equations. The opportunities for error are numerous, and, frequently, a great deal of accuracy is lost by subtractions; hence, it is felt that an alternative method of solution, in which numerical errors would be less likely to occur, would be desirable.

From introduction comments: The present analysis is intended to examine the relations for "adiabatic" injection in general from a different point of view.

The following report proposes various methods in injecting and heating in mirror machines, using high-energy ion beams.

The following report describes an experiment on the aluminum nitrate process for the conversion of tuballoy tetrafluoride to tuballoy peroxide and the solutions resulting.

The following report discusses the operation of the nuclear research reactor at the University of Michigan, as well as the maximum credible accident to the reactor.

When light propagates with the wave normal in the direction of an optic axis of a biaxial crystal, the usual ray theory breaks down. This phenomenon can be analyzed by means of an asymptotic solution of Maxwell's equations. The intensity is governed by a partial differential equation within the phase surfaces, instead of ordinary differential equations along rays. This example slows that light does not always propagate along rays. A similar phenomenon occurs in hydromagnetics.

Technical report. From Abstract : "The acidity of a solution of acid, HX, and salt, MX, is affected by both the concentration of X- and M+ owing to incomplete dissociation of the salt, MX. it was possible to increase the acidity of a solution of 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol - tetrabutylammonium 2,6-di-tert-butylphenolate relative to a dilute solution of tetrabutylammonium hydroxide by increasing the tetrabutylammonium bromide content. This indicates that the dissociation constant of the hydroxide base is sufficiently large that extensive dissociation occurs in dilute solutions. The addition of tetrabutylammonium bromide is therefore recommended as a general method for increasing the acidity and improving the titration characteristics of extremely weak acids."

Abstract: "The study of ten P.I.G. geometries with copper electrodes and d.c. voltage indicates that from a pressure of 0.1 to about 3.0 microns, depending upon the gage, there is a consistent change in the air pressure-current characteristics of a P.I.G. as the geometry and voltage are changed. At higher pressures discontinuities appear in the gage current and prohibit its use as a pressure gage. In all useful geometries, the greater the applied voltage above 1000 volts, the shorter the useful portion of the pressure-current curve became. Below 1000 volts the curve tended to be unstable. With other conditions constant, the pressure limit increased as the cathode separation decreased and as the anode diameter increased. The empirical equation for the current in certain Philips Ion Gages at certain pressures and voltages is I = a'Pe-p/b where I is the current, P the pressure, e the Naperian base and a' and b constants and dependent upon geometry and voltage."