Report discussing progress made by the National Research Corporation in developing preparation of ductile zirconium for the month of December, 1949.

Our knowledge of the properties of mesons and their interactions with nuclei has come from two sources. Studies of cosmic ray phenomena provided the earliest information. The discovery that mesons may be produced artificially by bombardment of nuclei with radiations from high energy accelerators has, on the other hand, made it feasible to undertake a wide variety of investigations under more controlled conditions than is possible in cosmic ray experiments. In such experiments mesons have been produced by high-energy protons, alpha-particles and neutrons.

Abstract: A new feeder chute on the continuous casting apparatus, and the use of outgassed zirconium chips resulted in a stable arc and quiet pool. Ingots up to 9 1/2 inches in length were made, and some correlation between tension on the ingot and the "necking" effect was determined. Conversions of zirconium iodide to zirconium in the arc dissociation apparatus ran from 41 to 48.2 percent with a maximum of 474 grams of metal produced in 4 hours.

Abstract: A tungsten tipped electrode has been used in the continuous casting arc furnace for a 25 minute period during which a 12 inch length of ingot was made. Thermocouple junctions within the mold wall have been improved to give mold zone temperature. A total of 10 iodide dissociation runs have been conducted using feed rates of .62-22.7 lbs ZrI₄ per hour with attendant conversion efficiencies of 97.7-16.4% and zirconium yields of 255-41.2 grams per hour. A curve expressing these data for an arbitrarily selected set of conditions is presented.

The purpose of this report is to summarize the work done at KAPL on physical properties of high density concretes.

The following report discusses the results of a survey that was initiated to ascertain the availability of uranium hydride in tonnage quantities.

Feasibility of conversion of uranyl nitrate to uranium trioxide by the continuous addition of concentrated uranyl nitrate solution to hot, agitated UO3 powder.

Quarterly technical report including reports on chemistry of source, fissionable, and structural elements, nuclear chemistry, radio-organic chemistry, chemistry of separations processes, chemical physics, radiation chemistry, and instrumentation. [From Abstract]

The following report records a total of forty-nine graphite core samples that have been bored from process tube blocks in the Hanford piles with the intention to provide results to indicate that core boring is an entirely practical operation over bore scraping in obtaining powder samples.

Technical report describing a rapid and quantitative radiochemical method for the analysis of neptunium (237). This method is based on the extraction of neptunium (IV) with thenoyl-trifluoracetone in xylene. Neptunium (237) is separated free from other alpha emitters and from non-radioactive interferences, and the method may be readily adapted to remote control. [From Abstract]

The following document provides figures with all information that describe the heavy water moderated chain reacting pile at Argonne National Laboratory.

Leaching tests were run on two samples from the Grants area in New Mexico. Uranium extractions of 94 per cent were obtained by leaching Sample 6-1 with solutions containing 240 lbs. of Na2CO3 and 60 lbs. of NaHCO3 per ton and by leaching Sample 6-2 with 270 lbs. of Na2CO3 and 180 lbs. of NaHCO3 per ton. Cyclic tests were completed using caustic precipitation of the leach liquor.

Technical report outlining the reconstitution of the Homogeneous Reactor Experiment Project (HRE) as the Homogeneous Reactor Project. Report covers the need for a broader developmental program to establish the feasibility of obtaining the potential advantages of homogeneous reactors for the production of fissionable materials and power. Details the ultimate objective of the ORNL program to provide the technical information required to determine the feasibility of a full scale plutonium power producing homogeneous reactor. [From Summary]

"A small quantity of a Np-237, the long-lived ancestor of the 4n + 1 series, has been isolated from a natural source. The Th-229 content of the Th-230 obtained from Belgian Congo pitchblende concentrate and of Th-232 obtained from Brazilian monazite has been determined indirectly through isolation of the Ac-225 daughter. The mass ratio of Np-237 to U-238 in the Belgian Congo pitchblende concentrate has been determined as (1.8 +/- 0.4) x 10-(-12). The mass ratio of U-233 to U-238 in the same ore deposit is found to be (1.3 +/- 0.2) x 10-(-13). The ratio of the respective neutron-capture cross sections of U-238 in the ore body for the (n, 2n) and (n, gamma) reactions is calculated to be (1.3 +/- 0.6) x 10-(-3) on the basis of the relative Np-237 and Pu-239 contents."

Discussing a reconnaissance of uranium-bearing deposits in the Yampa River Region, in Colorado

Report discussing tests of the fissionability and capture cross-section of produced U²³².

From conclusions: There is a close enough correlation for most metals to give the chart some utility in estimating vapor pressure of metals.

Abstract: Horse Mesa is in the Navajo Indian Reservation directly on the Arizona-New Mexico state line. Uranium-vanadium deposits in the Salt Wash sandstone which caps the Mesa are fairly widespread and small tonngges have been shipped from two mines. The deposits lie 60 to 75 feet above the base of the Salt Wash formation and possibly trend northwest parallel to ore trends on King Tutt Mesa, a mile northeast. Carnotite and vanoxite are the principal ore minerals. About 6,000 feet of wagon drilling is recommended to test two favorable areas. Continued exploration should be governed by results of this first stage drilling.

Report that outlines the major issue of reactor theory and asymptotic reactor theory. Uncommon reactor theory results are also discussed and unanswered questions regarding reactor theory are presented by the author.

In a previous paper a method of measuring the equilibrium constants at various temperatures for the titular reaction has been described. This report applies the method to an investigation of the corresponding reaction of americium, representing a part of a systematic program of investigation of the thermodynamic properties of analogous reactions of lanthanide and actinide elements.

A report discussing 28 claims contained in the Greagor group, owned by the J.R. Simplot Company.

Thermal spikes occurring during the life of a slug in a pile cause a momentary destruction of the original configuration of atoms in the metal. This process occurs at such a rate that in a thermal neutron flux of 10(13) neutrons per square centimeter per second each atom in the metal will be subject to temperatures above the melting point of uranium every 40 minutes.

The following report provides tables that measure the pressure of hydrogen fluoride at given temperatures and the hydrolysis of uranium tetrafluoride.

This report deals with the uranium deposits at the Poison Canyon mine