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.

The work described was undertaken to provide data for nuclear safety studies concerning NPF reprocessing equipment. The original objective was to determine the uranium density and water (hydrogen) content of UO2-H2O mixtures ranging from compact centrifuge cakes to dilute slurries. The scope was later expanded to include mixtures of UO2 with hydrocarbon oil and mixtures of UO3-H2O.

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.

In order to utilize the advantages of the electron microscope for the study of respirable particles, it is desirable to have an instrument capable of sampling from atmospheres having very sparse dispersions of particles at a rate sufficiently high to result in precipitation densities of approximately one particle per 10/u² of microscope screen for a 10 minute sampling period. In order to avoid qualitative or quantitative alteration of the aerosol, it was desired that the instrument collect the sample directly on an electron microscope screen rather than on a filter material for subsequent transfer to the screen. This paper summarizes work aimed at the development of such an instrument.

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.

The response of a two silicon p-n junction diodes has been measured for protons up to 13.3 Mev. In one case the dependence of depletion layer thickness with bias voltage was found to be T or V(0.46). The observed resolution, made up of contributions from crystal noise, beam width, and scatterer thickness, was about 1% for 9-Mev protons.

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."

Samples containing 5 to 10 mg of uranium were extracted with hexone (methyl isobutyl ketone) and titrated coulometrically in sulphate media. Relative standard deviations of 0.45% for samples containing 5 mg and 0.56% for 10 mg were determined by precision studies.

The problem of separation of beams of particles of different masses but of the same momentum at Bev energies is the subject of a great deal of study at several high energy laboratories. In this note we shall describe the problem and tabulate a few of the cogent parameters. Frequently the student of high energy interactions is faced with a beam of miscellaneous particles coming from an accelerator. By standard techniques this beam can be rendered approximately parallel and an inch or so in diameter. By passage through a magnetic field the beam can be analyzed in momentum. Now it frequently happens that the particles in which the experimenter is particularly interested make up only a small fraction of the beam and the exigencies of the proposed experiment may well demand that the background of undesired particles be drastically reduced. The problem is difficult because the velocities of the various particles are almost equal to each other and to the velocity of lights; this makes time-of-flight techniques relatively ineffective. The energies of the particles are almost equal so electrostatic separation also is difficult. Since the beam is already analyzed in momentum, further separation by magnetic means is impossible.

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.

This report discusses properties of the Redox process. Density, apparent molar volumes and viscosity are all described.

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 is a bibliography of journal articles relating to beryllium oxide. Sources consulted include; Chemical Abstracts, 1951-1955; Physics Abstracts, 1951-1955; Industrial Arts Index, 1955-Jan, 1957; and the library card catalog. Starred articles are available in the library.

The following report describes the investigations of the microwave solution and the Astron solution, to produce high current electron beams.

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.

With the development of the zircaloy-2 clad uranium fuel element, it was necessary to develop a method of closing the end of the element after the extruded tubes were cut to the desired length. Regardless of the ultimate design of the closure, a satisfactory zircaloy-2 fusion welding technique had to be worked out. The first fully successful welding was performed with electron beam welding in a vacuum chamber. To make satisfactory welds, the electron beam welding involved time and equipment, plus undue maintenance on the equipment.

Maintenance of polarization of polarized protons in a linear accelerator is known to be feasible. Circular accelerators present a different problem, and the investigation of the interaction of orbit dynamics and particle polarization in general is undertaken. The equation of motion of the spin vector of a charged particle in a magnetic field as formulated by Bargmann, Michel, and Telegdi is utilized in the study of depolarization for several accelerators. High values of depolarization are obtained, and means for avoiding such depolarization are suggested. (D.C.W.)

The following report provides the results of an accelerated corrosion test that was performed to compare the effect of two coagulants on the corrosion rates of aluminum slug jacket alloy and 72S. Additionally, some analytical data on the water from the two treatments were obtained and are presented in this report.

Abstract: "The amount of hydrogen normally present in zirconium and zirconium alloys suffices to reduce their ductility greatly in an impact test at room temperature, after slow cooling from 600 F. Quenching from 600 F or above gives high impact strength, as does removal of hydrogen by high-temperature vacuum annealing. This report discusses the evidence on hydrogen embrittlement, the diffusion, solid solubility, and equilibrium pressure of hydrogen of hydrogen in zirconium, the microstructure, and the effects of hydrogen and heat treatment on the mechanical properties of zirconium."

Continued process improvements in the separation plants provide an incentive for economics in waste storage costs by utilizing existing facilities to their maximum capability consistent with the radiological hazards involved. The major improvements have reduced waste volumes resulting in increased fission product concentration and energy potential. Analyses have been made to determine the effect of this change on the integrity of the existing structures.

The following report examines a rapid method used to eliminate the possibility of explosive perchlorate-organic mixtures in a control laboratory in order to determine radiocesium. These methods include the usage of chloroplatinic acid as a precipitate of radocesium.