Summary: A method for the separation of cesium from macro quantities of sodium and potassium using an ion exchange resin, Dowex 50, has been developed. A 95% recovery of cesium with a reduction of the solid content of 95% was found possible. Curves illustrating the effect of acidity, column length, and flow rate are presented in the report. The sodium form, hydrogen form and ammonium form of Dowex 50 were investigated; the hydrogen form was found to give the best separation.

Report detailing an analysis of the deposition of I-131 on vegetation. Analysis was necessary to determine the potential hazards of the gases from the dissolution of the metal on vegetation.

The following report describes the process of the determination of nitrous oxide with the infrared spectrometer.

Abstract: This report gives the results of a radiochemical analysis of particles collected by electrostatic precipitation from ventilation air of the "B" plant at Hanford Works.

The following report covers the construction materials selected for laboratory corrosion studies and the determination of their corrosion rates in process solutions.

This report examines a uranium slug that has been produced by powder metallurgical methods and exposed in the 100-DR Pile and was deformed during pile exposure.

Report covering an experiment on a method for determining the crystallographic orientation within uranium rods. From summary: "The crystallographic orientation existing in rolled uranium rods may be determined by comparing the diffraction pattern obtained from an unknown specimen with the diffraction pattern obtained from a sample known to be randomly oriented."

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.

Objective: "Production Test 235-1 and an amendment, were written to outline the procedures for reducing the outgassing time and evaluating the effects of these reductions."

Report discussing an impinging experiment "to test the pitting tendencies of different qualities of water," specifically, alum coagulated water without sodium dichromate, alum coagulated water plus 2 ppm sodium dichromate, and ferrifloc coagulated water without sodium dichromate.

From introduction: "The following recommendations represent the best estimate, based on present knowledge, of the requirements for generally applicable or "universal" instrument for the continuous monitoring of radioactive process streams in terms of their gamma activity."

Report discussing tests conducted in an attempt to adapt a micromanometer for use in measuring variations of about 0.003 mm Hg in atmospheric pressure. Additionally, a method for making full use of the micromanometer sensitivity and extending its range is described.

The following report calculates pile reactivity changes that result from different pile loadings where it is desirable to have available values of (flux)2 d(volume) for various flat zone radii. This information was found for a cylindrical pile having circular flat zones and an effective radius of 598 cm., by integrating over a cross sectional volume of one cm. thickness.

Report detailing the refractive index of solutions of uranyl nitrate, nitric acid and aluminum nitrate. This report builds upon preliminary data and a brief discussion that from a previous report. This report covers more accurate and detailed data that had be accumulated following the initial report.

From summary: "The methods of calibrating the 305 pile for impurities and density differences in graphite are reviewed and calibration constants are calculated theoretically."

This report follows work that is meant to determine the settling rate and viscosity of Hanford Waste metal slurry as a function of prolonged agitation and shear, and to repeat these determinations on a synthetic incubated material similar to that used in the acidification studies, HW-18367, and to make a direct comparison between the genuine and simulated wastes.

A report describing a the results of a fluorimetric and volumetric method for the determination of fluoride. This method was developed for the determination of ionizable fluorine in gases in the range of 1-500ppm. This method was chosen because the determination depends on the generation of a color rather than the bleaching effect or on a change of color.

Abstract: "This is the preliminary report of a radiological-ecological survey of the invertebrate fauna that inhabit the Columbia River within the confines of Hanford Works and downstream to the site of McNary Dam. The survey was carried out during the period of October, 1948 through February, 1950. Materials and methods are discussed and the results of extensive radioassays, qualitative and quantitative biological determinations, and hydrographic studies are given and analyzed. Twelve figures and twenty-three tables are included. All aquatic invertebrates were found to be concentrating radioactivity from the river water. A maximum activity density of 4.4-10-(-3) μc/g wet weight was found in the larvae of midges (Hydrobaeninae) collected near Hanford during September, 1949. Radioactive wastes were not found to be causing any apparent deleterious effects to the natural invertebrate fauna. Existing population variations are caused by biological and hydrographic conditions."

This report describes the design, construction, and application of an electrical analogue for solution of the steady state problem. Teledeltos paper (an electrically conductive paper) was used to construct this analogue, and although this and other sheet materials has been used for heat transfer analogues in several previous investigations, it is believed that the present work is unique in the application of Teledeltos paper to three dimensional problems of radial symmetry.

This procedure is intended to be used as: 1. An instruction and guide for operation of the KER loops. 2. To aid in familiarization and understanding of the general operation of the loops. 3. To prevent lost time due to errors in loop operation. The procedure is not meant to be completely comprehensive in all details of loop operation.

During an experiment involving alpha phase annealing (at 610 to 655 deg C for 5 and 10 min) of beta-quenched uranium, it was determined that the relatively coarse, irregular shaped grains (0.08 to 0.150 mm in diameter) in the beta-quenched structure, were replaced by fine equiaxed grains (0.04 to 0.09 mm in diameter).

Experimental studies on continuous denitration performed in 321 Building resulted in the development of an agitated-through-type calciner. The performance of a paddle-agitated 4-in.-diameter by 44-in.-long reactor was sufficiently promising to warrant construction of a 16-in.-diameter by 8 ft.-long semi-plant scale model. This progress report summarizes the results of studies to date employing the semi-plant scale calciner.

The purpose of this investigation is to make a preliminary study and evaluation of the application of ultrasonic equipment and associated handling equipment to the problem of decontaminating reactor tube dummy pieces. Reactor Section is currently planning the construction of batch process nitric acid facilities for dummy decontamination. It was felt that use of ultrasonics together with a solution less corrosive than nitric acid might provide adequate decontamination at lower project cost than the presently proposed nitric acid facilities. This report gives the progress of the investigation to date.

This twenty-fifth quarterly report of the research and development activities of the Radiological Sciences Department, Hanford Atomic Products operation, as before, includes some items charged to control but included for general interest. The previous report of this series was numbered: HW-39624, October 11, 1955. Progress is reported in the following studies: a radiobiological-ecological survey of the Columbia River; the toxic effects of continuous low-level exposure to I¹³¹ in pigs; Pu metabolism in miniature pigs and rats; the tissue distribution and retention of Ru¹⁰⁶ and Cs in rats and mice; the radiosensitivity of the intestine of rats; the pulmonary absorption of radioactive particles and the pathological effects of such particles in the lungs of mice; the uptake of I¹³¹ and other fission products from the soil and from air by plants; determinations of the relative biological effectiveness for yeast cells of Po²¹⁰ alpha particles and P³² beta particles; the development of chemical and radiological monitoring methods; the separation of fission products from waste streams; and improvements in instruments for monitoring and low-level radiation counting. The status of the research programs of the department is reviewed.