The following document describes data collected from a 14-month period of analyzing crustaceans containing radioactivity. Provided is information based on the change of radioactivity through seasonal changes.

The results of electrical resistance measurements have been used as a means of following changes occurring in metals due to irradiation. The electrical conductivity is sensitive to changes in composition and to cold-work or structure damage. In an anisotropic metal, such as uranium, the director of measurement also influences to some extent the values obtained. For these reasons it is essential to use the same material, and if possible the same piece of material, in comparing the electrical properties before and after irradiation. This report is a description of the measurements made on pieces of the same uranium rod before and after an exposure of approximately 150 MWD/T. The results, while preliminary in nature and dealing only with one sample and exposure level, provide data for which a comparison may be made of the electrical resistivity of irradiated and non-irradiated uranium metal.

For some time, the need has been recognized for an X-ray diffraction unit applicable to studies concerning the crystallographic characteristics of pile irradiated materials. Except for studies involving specimens of low activity, it has been impossible in the past to investigate materials which emit intense beta and gamma radiations. The exact type and degree of irradiation damage to high activity materials has been largely a matter of theoretical conjecture. The object of this report is to describe an X-ray diffraction spectrometer that can be used to collect crystallographic data from irradiated materials.

When an aqueous solution containing dissolved irradiated uranium and nitric acid is equilibrated with 30% tributylphosphate solution in kerosene, the distribution co-efficients for sirconium and niobium are decreased by the addition of phosphoric acid to the system.

Three types of stainless steel (309 SCB, Carpenter 20, 304-L) were exposed to both the liquid and vapor phase of each of three types of solutions. The time of exposure totaled ten days during which the specimens were cleaned and weighed periodically. The three synthetic D-12 waste solutions contained respectively chrome-high chloride, chrome-low chloride and high chloride sans chromium. The solutions were renewed at each weighing.

The first of two general methods are discussed based on the removal of the thin layer of aluminum to which graphite adheres. Two electro-polishing techniques, an electrolytic etch, an anodization-deanodication cycle and two chemical etches are described.

An improved method for the determination of boron in plutonium is reported. Precipitation of plutonium (III) acid oxalate prior to color development with curcumin results in increased precision, greater speed, and lower costs. Results are presented of a statistical study involving all variables.

Impurities are separated from plutonium solutions by means of TTA (thenoyltrifluoracetone) extractions. Plutonium in hydrochloric acid solution is reduced to the trivalent state with hydroxylamine, and some impurities are extracted into hezone or a solution of TTA in hezone. The organic phase is removed, and the plutonium in the aqueous phase is oxidized to the tetravalent state with nitric acid. Investigations of several variables which affect the extraction are described..

The uranium recovery processes which are in operation or under construction at the present time--TBP, Redox and Purex--yield an aqueous uranyl nitrate solution as the recovered uranium product. For conversion of this recovered uranium to UF6 for feed to the gaseous diffusion plants, the uranyl nitrate in the solution is concentrated with or without prior organic stripping, calcined to UC3, reduced to UO2 with hydrogen, hydro-fluorinated to UF4 with RF, and finally fluorinated to UF6 with elemental fluorine.