A half-plant low pH test began at D Reactor on March 19, 1963. The purpose of the test was to provide quantitative data on the reduction in aluminium corrosion obtained by lowering reactor coolant pH from 7.0 to 6.6. The benefits of lower pH will be monitored by ex-reactor tube examinations) in-reactor wall thickness measurements, coupons, and visual examination pleas weight loss measurements of fuel elements. This report presents the results of the visual examination and weight loss measurements on 18 columns of fuel elements irradiated during the test

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Progress in chemical technology is reported under 24 topics. Separate abstracts were prepared for each topic. (M.C.G.)

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This report, from the Chemical Processing Department at HAPO for August 1963, discusses the following: Production operation; Purex and Redox operation; Finished products operation; maintenance; Financial operations; facilities engineering; research; employee relations; and weapons manufacturing operation.

The degree of lens opacification was studied as a function of age and time following exposure of mice to low and fractionated doses of monoenergetic fast neutrons, x radiation, and gamma radiation. A slit-lamp microscope was employed for visualization of the lens in the immobilized head of the mouse after the irises were dilated with 1% homatropine. The technique of lens examination is described and illustrated. Data collected at 26 weeks posttreatment indicate that 0.43-Mev neutrons are slightly niore effective than those of 1.80 Mev, and that both are about 10 times as effective as 250-kvp x rays in the dose range covered. Lethality was greatest in the 0 to 1 week groups, with loss of all animals exposed to 800 rads of Co/sup 60/ gamma radiation, while most of the animals exposed to this dose at 5 weeks of age survived. Initial damage site and recovery of the irradiated lens are discussed. (C.H.)

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