This quarterly progress report details the ongoing research and experiments at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory as part of the Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion Project. The first part of this report discusses reactor theory and design. The second part of this report is not included. The third part of this report discusses materials research. The fourth part of this report includes appendixes

As there is no accurate measurements of the energy distribution of neutrons emerging from large uranium blocks, it becomes of importance to see how much information of this kind can be derived from the slowing down distribution of the neutrons in a water tank.

Certain types of neutron diffusion calculations were considerably simplified when the Serber.Wilson Method was introduced about eight years ago. This method, semi-empirical In nature and named after its co-discoverers, was first formulated for the one-velocity isotropic theory and applied to spherical geometries. Within these limits it has in general proved to be a fairly accurate method. If restricted source-free case it has, in addition, turned out to be quite manageable both analytically and numerically.

Technical report presenting preliminary results obtained in the static corrosion test program to screen promising construction materials for a proposed liquid fuel power breeder reactor.

The following report describes work that was udertaken to determine whether a homogeneous breeder reactor using an alkili metal hydroxide solution is capable of breeding.

The coefficient of linear expansion of alpha plutonium has been determined for the range -180 to +100 degree C by the silicon-tube and dial-indicator method. The value of the expansion coefficient is reported as [formula]. Included are a detailed description of the apparatus and a discussion of the method.

The coefficient of linear expansion of alpha plutonium has been determined for the range -180 to +100 degree C by the silicon-tube and dial-indicator method. The value of the expansion coefficient is reported as [formula]. Included are a detailed description of the apparatus and a discussion of the method.

From summary: The formation of weak molecular addition compounds in inert non-polar solvents has been studied in a new manner. The reactions between uranyl nitrate and weak organic bases have been characterized and the equilibrium constants evaluated."

Report discussing studies regarding the properties and nuclear constants of xenon, an element relevant to use of high power thermal neutron reactors.

The feasibility of rectified absorption for the recovery and purification of HD from H2 streams has been investigated. The absorbent considered was liquid nitrogen at 78 (degrees) K. The process appears to present no major engineering or operation problems. Cost calculations indicate that the process may be economically competitive with other processes. Process design was based on an estimated separation factor of 1.25 between H2 and HD in this system. Experimental work has been undertaken to check the validity of this estimate and to investigate the possibility of using other absorbents such as hydrocarbons and fluorocarbons.

Measurement of the color intensity of the uranium thiocyanate complex is discussed as a method for the quantitative determination of uranium. Two procedures for amounts from 1 microgram to 1 milligram are described, and standard curves are shown. The effects of numerous foreign ions are shown, and methods of removal for some of these are discussed.

Abstract: A method is described for the determination of radium by alpha counting. A dilute hydrochloric acid solution of the radium sample is passed through a short column of copper powder to remove polonium. The effluent is mounted on glass slides and alpha counted four to five hours after mounting. Twenty-four hours after mounting, the slides are counted again, and the percentage increase in counts is used to determine a correction factor for the growth of radon and its daughters. Precision and accuracy are within the limits of the counting instrument used.

From abstract: "This report summarizes the corrosion data obtained for nine construction materials located throughout the ORNL Purex Pilot Plant Acid Recovery Unit during seven hundred hours of operation."

Quarterly summary report of studies conducted through the Radiation Laboratory, University of California. Some results reported in the report may be of a preliminary or incomplete nature.

Report discussing several experiments investigating the effect of radiation on metals, specifically on intermetallic diffusion, mechanical properties of 347 stainless steel and electric resistance of 347 stainless steel.

A controversy exists as to the effect of inositol and other lipotropic agents on serum cholesterol levels and atherosclerosis in humans and animals. There is no general agreement that these agents lower serum cholesterol levels or exert an inhibitory effect on the development of atherosclerosis.,

Technical report describing the downtime of the Brookhaven National Laboratory nuclear reactor and changes made to the reactor facility in March 1952.

Theory of operation and test results are given for a resistance type of liquid metal level instrument. The voltage across a steel rod in the tank is amplified by a magnetic amplifier and indicated by a milliammeter. Temperature compensation is provided for tank temperatures up to 1000 F.

This progress report of the Battelle Memorial Institute covers information in many categories for February, 1952. These include development of ceramic fuel elements, general ceramics, uranium and its alloys, thorium and its alloys, development of metallic fuel elements and assemblies, metals and alloys for reactor components, miscellaneous metallurgical work, liquid coolants and fuels, reactor engineering studies, and mechanism development.

Abstract: "A novel procedure employing ion exchange resins was developed to separate chromate ions from hydrogen peroxide, permitting, permitting the subsequent analysis of peroxide to determine its decomposition in sodium chromate solutions. At high pH's, peroxide was absorbed anionically on the ion exchange resins along with chromate. By selecting a resin which would be effective at nearly neutral conditions, chromate was satisfactorily separated from peroxide. It was found that the rate of peroxide decomposition in slightly alkaline sodium chromate solutions was dependent on temperature, pH, aeration, and chromate concentration. No significant effect on decomposition was caused by visible light."

From abstract: "A full-scale, always-safe, metal dissolver for Experimental Breeder Reactor fuel was designed, built, and installed for test operation. It was found that the dissolver operated satisfactorily, and feasible operating procedures were established for the dissolution of bare, or jacketed, EBR slugs. Minor modifications of the dissolver design have been required to accomodate [sic] a modified EBR slug, but it is believed that this will not significantly affect its operating characteristics."

Abstract: High Velocity disturbance are observed to propagate in advance of the plane shock front along the walls of a high-explosive-operated shock tube. Experiments were performed which indicate that the disturbance proceeds at a constant velocity relative to the shock front, and carries a considerable amount of energy as evidenced by its ability to penetrate metal plates. The velocity of a similar disturbance observed along a rod placed on the axis of the shock tube normal to the plane shock front was essentially independent of the rod material and diameter. This phenomenon was observed when shock tubes were filled with argon or chlorine but was absent when air or helium was used.

The oxidation of uranium metal has been studied from the standpoint of the oxygen dependence of the reaction rate in an effort to establish the mechanism. The experimental data of Perkins agree with the theoretical dependence of the oxygen pressure derived this report. This agreement supports the hypothesis that the rate-controlling step in the migration of cations in the DO2 lattice, although the observed time dependence is not necessarily in agreement with this conclusion. Experimental entropies of activation are corrected for the observed pressure dependence. No firm conclusion could be reached as to whether the rate of diffusion or adsorption is rate-controlling.

This report discusses the high-velocity collisions of two identical solid plates driven by high explosives. The collision data employs dural, mild steel, brass and lead, as well as experimenting with jetless and jet-forming collisions.