Report describing the methods, discrepancies, accuracy of methods, and conclusions of two different analytical methods of spectrochemical analysis of plutionium.

This report discusses studies regarding the distribution and other properties of uranyl nitrate, nitric acid, plutonium (IV) and plutonium (VI) as part of the Redox Process that separates plutonium, uranium, and fission products.

The fixation of aqueous radioactive wastes in a stable solid media by means of calcination has been the subject of considerable research and development effort. Several methods of doing this on a continuous basis have been devised and a few have been demonstrated to be feasible for the handling of non-radioactive or low activity simulated wastes. Currently an investigation of calcination by means of radiant-heat spray drying is being carried on by the Chemical Research Operation of the Hanford Laboratories Operation. The process consists of atomizing the liquid to be treated into the top of a cylindrical column, the walls of which are maintained at a high temperature. The resultant suspension of droplets in the water vapor formed by evaporation passes through successive zones of drying, calcination, possible chemical reaction or melting, and partial cooling as it proceeds down the tower. Separation of the resultant solids, steams, and uncondensable gas is made by conventional methods.

In solvent extraction purification processes such as are used at Hanford, the fuel elements or "slugs" from the reactor containing uranium, plutonium, and fission products are dissolved in nitric acid, adjusted to the required feed composition, and pumped to the solvent extraction columns. Figure 1 in a schematic diagram of such a solvent extraction process. In the A column, the uranium and the plutonium are extracted into an organic phase while the bulk of the fission products remain in the aqueous phase and leave as waste with the column raffinate.

Accurate sampling of particulate in gaseous effluents is required for auditing and control of radioactive wastes released to the environment at installations generating or processing radioactive materials. Over the years a variety of sampling probe configurations, sampling velocities, lengths and sizes of sample delivery lines have been used locally to obtain these samples. Efforts to properly evaluate the validity of samples in most sampling installations have been hampered by a lack of basic knowledge of particle behavior under the various conditions imposed. Important variables about which minimal knowledge is available are those of particle impaction and retention on and re-entrainment from the walls of sampling lines. In some sampler configurations the effect of these parameters on sampling validity may be made negligible, but in lines already in place. or where long sampling lines are required, the degree to which deposition affects the sampling validity must be established. Deposition and rebuild up, then rapid release to the air stream. Research has been initiated in Hanford Laboratories Operation to provide the required data relative to deposition and retention on conduit walls and to eventually arrive at approved sampling system configurations.