Technical report describing work on two special projects: (1) the Oak Ridge Computer; and (2) numerical integration of differential equations; multipoint boundary problems. The reports also describes work on thirty special problems.

Technical report outlining the building status, crystal physics, solid state reactions, radiation metallurgy, engineering properties, and liquid fuels activities of the Physics of Solids Institute in period ending April 30, 1951. [From Introduction and Summary]

Report issued by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory discussing annual progress made by the Solid State Division. Work and research progress made during 1957 is presented. This report includes tables, illustrations, and photographs.

Technical report covering experiments happening on the Analytical Chemistry Division's sites at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Includes information on ionic analyses, radio-chemical analyses, spectrochemical analyses, service analyses, inorganic preparations, analytical chemical control of homogeneous reactor solution, optical and electron microscopy, and service analyses for the period ending September 10, 1951. Studies and happenings took place on the Analytical Chemistry Division's X-10 and Y-12 sites. [From Table of Contents, Abstract]

An extension of the concepts advanced by Langmuir regarding the nature of the platinum catalyzed oxidation of hydrogen and the application of the resulting theory to the experimental data observed by Ranschoff and Spiewak for an HRE type recombiner indicates that their data are corrected by the dimensionless equation (see report) equally well, with a mean deviation of 3.8 percent. This expression is recommended as a basis for the design of catalytic recombiners. The catalytic combinations is pictured as consisting of two surface chemical mechanisms, one of which is oxygen diffusion controlled, the other hydrogen diffusion regulated, the mechanism "change-over" occurring at that point in the recombiner where the components are arriving at the catalyst surface by diffusion in stoichiometric proportions. The catalyst volume requirements for three two portions of the bed are shown to be (see report). The hydrogen mole fraction at the mechanism "change-over" point is (see report). And the relationship between the two mass transfer coefficients is (see report). Methods for evaluating the necessary transport properties of the ternary system steam-hydrogen-oxygen for carrying out design calculations are summarized, and the new significant parameters are tabulated and plotted to facilitate these calculations. The question of non-uniform velocity profiles …

The conversion of UNH to UF4 and UF6, utilizing moving-bed techniques, is being studied; sufficient progress has been made that an evaluation of the process is warranted. The procedures under study, the Fluorox Process, have three major advantages: (1) substitution of HF for high-cost fluorine, (2) considerable reduction in HF requirements, and (3) marked reduction in plant-size and mechanical complexity.

The hydrogen evolution method for the determination of uranium trifluoride which was developed by Manning, Miller and Rowan has been used for the determination of trivalent uranium in this laboratory for the past three years. The method has been applied to many different sample types supposedly pure UF3, mixtures of UF3 and UF4 and the large variety of mixtures of fluoride salts that have been investigated as possible nuclear fuels. These mixtures contained alkali metal, beryllium and zirconium fluorides. Several modifications have been made that have substantially improved the performance and ease of operation of the method. These improvements include the use of (1) an inexpensive, long-lasting source of pure carbon dioxide, (2) vacuum to assist in purging the system of gases that are insoluble in potassium hydroxide solution, (3) deaerated acid that has an extremely low quantity of non-absorbable gases, (4) slower flow rates of purging gas, (5) a sampling technique to minimize contamination, and (6) more dilute absorber solution to reduce film error. It is the purpose of this report to show the effect of these modifications and the applicability of the method various sample types that contain uranium trifluoride.