Report discussing progress of the Metallurgical Project at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for the term from October, 1949 through December, 1949.

The following report provides data from completed tests for corrosion testing of stellite-T347 stainless steel test cylinders.

This report analyzes infrared absorption measurements that were made in the regions of carbonyl band and hydroxyl band absorptions on solutions of water in hexone and water in acetone, confirming intermolecular association of water and hexone.

Abstract: An investigation was conducted to determine the absorption and translocation of fission products by Russian thistle from a localized spot of contaminated soil. The amount and identity of the radioactive elements absorbed and translocated by the Russian thistle is given along with the location of these elements in the plants. Beta radioactivity to the amounts of 10 microcuries per gram caused no visible effects on the growth habits of sectioned material are included.

Measurements have been at the Pajarito remote control laboratory to determine the effect of change of shape on system reactivity for oralloy cylinders. Systems tested include cylindrical configurations with various height-to-diameter ratios ranging from slabs to rods. Each system reactivity is referred to that of a sphere in the same tamper. Reactivity tests were made on bare (untamped) Oy configurations, as well as on systems In tuballoy tampers 1.12,1.87,and 8.0 thick. The amount of reactivity change associated with a particular cylinder height-to-diameter ratio is feud to be a function of tamper thickness, and is greatest for very thin tampers.

This investigation was begun as a result of a mass spectrometric measurement of two samples of tritium which had been stored for several months in Pyrex glass bulbs using stopcocks. The first of these was originally supposed to be of extremely high isotopic and chemical purity. What was observed at this time was 1.45 H had accumulated, and that tritiated methane, CT4, was also present to the extent of 0.18%. A consistent attempt had been made in this sample to protect the gas from contact with the grease by covering the stopcock with mercury. the second sample was a composite of T2 samples of various degrees of enrichment with an isotopic analysis of 92% T. No protection had been attempted during its storage, and 0.86% CT4 to be present.

The following quarterly report covers the period of July through September of 1950, split into three reports discussing the metabolic properties of plutonium and allied materials, biological studies of radiation effects, and health chemistry and physics.

From summary: "The methods of calibrating the 305 pile for impurities and density differences in graphite are reviewed and calibration constants are calculated theoretically."

Technical report covering experiments to measure the resonance and absorption of neutrons in U238 cylinders. Report also discusses control problems connected to the Bulk Shielding Facility and work on MTR controls.

Since the 25 content of the uranium to be used in a MTA multiplying lattice is quite uncertain at present, it is necessary to assume various degrees of depletion in order to estimate the multiplication constant K-o and the production of 49 in an infinite uranium-graphite lattice

Technical report outlining the rate of production of modified MTR type fuel elements for the Bulk Shielding Facility has proceeded. Includes compatibility test that were started as a guide in the selection of materials suitable for fuel-element fabrication. [From Summary]

Technical report presenting a summary of the flowsheets, equipment, and progress for the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) pilot plant development of the Purex Process and of the ORNL Metal Recovery Program. As of this report, conversion of the Purex pilot plant equipment in Buildings 3019 and 3503 is 90% complete. The building structure for the ORNL Waste Metal Recovery plant had been completed, and 15% of the process equipment had been installed. The first hot runs for this plant were scheduled for June, 1951. [From Abstract; Introduction]

Abstract: "The potential of the Np(IV)-Np(V) couple is not directly measurement since the couple does not establish reversible equilibrium at an inert electrode. Reproducible potential measurements were obtainable, however, in solutions containing Np(IV), Np(V), Pe(II), and Pe(III) ions in oxidation-reduction equilibrium. The expected fourth power hydrogen ion dependence of the Np(IV)-Np(V) couple was confirmed over the range 0.25-1.0 molar perchloric acid concentration. The heat of the reaction NpO2+ + 1/2 H2 + 3H+ = Np-(+4) + 2 H2O in 1 molar perchloric acid solution was determined from the electromotive force temperature coefficient to be -36.3 +/- 0.3 kg.-cal. The formal potential of the Np(IV)-Np(V) couple is -0.746 v. at 25 degrees in 1 molar perchloric acid solution."

The pressure and temperature cycles developed during the bomb reduction of uranium tetrafluoride by calcium have been determined. Data for the 250, 500, and 1000 gram scale reductions are given, and the apparatus used is described.

Technical report covering experiments happening on the Analytical Chemistry Division's sites at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Includes information on ionic analyses, radio-chemical analyses, spectrochemical analyses, service analyses, inorganic preparations, analytical chemical control of homogeneous reactor solution, optical and electron microscopy, and service analyses for the period ending March 26, 1951. [From Abstract]

From summary: "This report covers an experimental investigation into the fabrication of various potential fuel-element materials and the testing of these materials for compatibility with structural metals at 1090 C (2000 F)."

The [beta] spectrum of the 10-year Pu²⁴¹ was run on a sample of radiochemically pure plutonium containing the isotopes Pu²³⁹, Pu²⁴⁰, Pu²⁴¹, isotopically enriched in Pu²⁴¹ by pile neutron irradiation. The isotopic composition was determined mass spectrographically.

Report discussing the progress of various research projects by members of the Mathematics Panel at Oak Ridge National Laboratory for the quarter ending October 31, 1951.

The question has arisen of how the beam in A-12 as a long resonant cavity might effect the frequency of operation and the field distribution. This study is published to make available the calculation of the direct beam effect as an illustration of general methods of attacking perturbing effects in resonant cavities.

The following report describes data on the provided phase equilibrium systems that show the general nature of the diagrams and the compounds and solid solutions which occur.

Abstract: "Preliminary data have been taken to evaluate X-ray absorption at the L III edge of uranium as a method of detection of uranium in solution. Uranium concentrations in water from 150 ppm to 30,000 ppm have been investigated. The effect of copper as a typical contaminant in the range of 737 ppm of copper to 36,850 ppm of copper has been investigated for a representative uranium solution. Instrumentation has been constantly improved and suggestions for further improvements in amplifying and counting equipment are included. Comparison of experimental data with theory indicates that the derived equations are adequate."

Summary of progress on various research projects conducted during January, 1952.

The bibliography provided investigates the following sources: Chemical Abstracts 1947-1950., Metallurgical Abstracts Vols. 1-18., ASM Review of Metals Literature Vols. 1-6., J. Institute of Metals Vols. 78-80 (No. 7)., Physics Abstracts 1937-1950.

The intuitive concept that a sector shaped centrifuge cell is free from convection is criticized. Not only is a form of convection present for a single sedimenting species, but a more insidious type occurs in a mixture having an appreciable Johnston-Ogston effect. Rather than striving for convection-free sedimentation, the proposal is to utilize if possible an apparently harmless type of convection occurring in a very thin annulus in order to avoid the convection extending between boundaries in a mixture. The requirement that the concentrations be independent of time meets this condition and yields a hyperbolic cell, which is approximated by a sector cell placed in the rotor backwards. Simultaneously, area measurements and calculations involving the Johnston-Ogston anomaly are simplified because of the time independence.