This progress report discusses progress on oxidation-reduction studies, including polarography, as well as the Uranium-complex formation including electrical transport and spectro-photometric work. This report covers the work done in the period of February of 1945.

From abstract: High velocity disturbances are observed to propagate along the walls of a high explosive operated shock tube in advance of the plane shock. Experiments are presented which determine the dependence of the geometry, energy, and velocity of the disturbance on such variables as the gas contained in the shock tube, the shock strength, and the roughness and composition of the supporting boundary. A model is constructed to explain the flow within the disturbance. Arguments are presented which show the disturbance to result from radiation originating in the luminous plane shock...The purpose of this paper is to present the results of initial investigations made in an effort to describe the phenomenon of strong shocks developed in a shock tube by the detonation of high explosive charge.

Abstract: The rate of reaction of oxygen with arc-melted and rolled iodide thorium has been found to obey the parabolic rate law in the temperature range of 850 to 1415 C at 1 atmosphere pressure. The rate constant can be expressed as k = 6 x 10⁷ x e⁻⁶³³⁰⁰/RT cm²/sec. The energy of activation, 63,300 cal/mole, has a probable error of 2,100 cal/mole.

This report describes progress in testing the corrosion resistance of alloys of TCl₄. The steps and conditions of the testing procedures are given as well as conclusions and photos of TCl₄.

Abstract: "An investigation of the mercury salvage program has resulted in the development of an improved high compacity type of distillation apparatus. The still, electrically heated and essentially automatic in its operation, will produce at a rate greater than 75 pounds per hour and develop a product 99.99% pure or better. This still will handle the lowest grade crude of amalgam that can pass through the feed lines and will continue to develop a pure prodcut for comparatively long periods of time. The clean-out operation is amazingly simple and convenient and may be done within one-half hour while the apparatus itself is still hot. Two models of this design are scheduled for installation in a mercury recovery room of the Alpha Analytical Department of Building No. 9207."

Experiments with a simple pulsed magnetic field in cusped geometry are described. The plasma is generated inside the containment region rather than injected from an external source. It was found that creation of the plasma by a linear pinch discharge is most successful. Only qualitative studies have been carried out so far, using time-resolved visual observation of the plasma. Well-defined plasma bodies located in the central region between the cells were photographed. In order to make them clearly visible, a few percent of argon was added to the hydrogen.

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.

Plus-minus ratios for pion production by 340-Mev proton bombardment were measured at 13 Mev, 18 Mev, and 42 Mev with the use of the spiral orbit spectrometer.

Commonwealth Edison Company for the purpose of supplementing the license application for the Dresden Nuclear Power Station submits herewith Amendment No.1 to the portion of the Final Hazards Summary Report entitled Preliminary Hazards Summary Report.

Results of four experiemental runs in the Fluorox fluidized bed reactor system are reported. The engineering feasibility of UF6 production from UF4 by use of dry air of O2, 2UF4 + O2 = UF6 + UO2F2, in an Inconel fluidized bed reactor at 800-850°C was demonstrated in two experimental tests in which greater than 90% of the theoretical amount of UF6 was collected or measured. Two runs made with crude UF4 (produced from unpurified mill concentrate) as the feed material, showed that UF6 could be produced at 700-725°C but corrosion on Inconel was prohibitive.

At the present time, plants in the 100-500Mv size range are more numerous and carry the greatest portion (over 50%) of the total steam-electric plant load in the U.S. utilities industry. The contribution of plants of over 1,000-Mv capacity is increasing more rapidly than any other size clarification and at present represents about 10% of the total capacity. By 1962 the TVA will have six plants with capacities of over 1,000-Mv. The largest steam-electric plant in the U.S. is the TVA plant at Kingston, Tenn., with a nameplate capacity of 1,440-Mv. Turbine-generator units are also following a trend of ever-increasing size. In present construction, the 150-200 Mv size range for units is the most common and represents the greatest contribution to capacity. Two units of 500-Mv nameplate rating each, the largest in the U.S., are on order by the TVA, and an 800 Mv unit is contemplated.