A report about how trisodium phosphate can be most satisfactorily removed from sodium hydroxide solutions at 40 percent sodium hydroxide concentration, or higher, the temperature being practically immaterial, or it can be removed antisfactorily from 15 to 30 per cont sodium hydroxide at 25°C

A report which describes the separation of uranium from thorium in carbonate, hydrochloric acid, and sulfuric acid solutions by anion-exchange resins.

A report about an investigation started to determine the compounds and/or minerals present in the residue resulting from nitric acid digestion of ore. Emphasis was placed on determining the compounds and/or minerals containing boron.

Abstract: "Costs have been estimated for the production of uranium and pure thorium from monasite concentrates by a process involving (1) reaction of monasite with caustic soda, (2) dissolution of the hydrous oxides in hydrochloric acid, (3) separation from the bulk of the rare earths by hydroxide precipitation of thorium and uranium, and (4) purification by solvent extraction."

From introduction: "This is the ninth monthly report, BMI-514, under Contract No. AT(30-1)-771 on "Zirconium Research and Development". The report covers the work period from September 15, 1950, to October 15, 1950. Work is continuing on the preparation of large-diameter zirconium crystal bars in the 16-inch-diameter de Boer unit. Crystal bars up to 1-5/16 inches in diameter and 8 feet long have been prepared in this unit."

A report which intends to present an empirical formula, based on available experimental data, to correlate the thermal and electrical conductiviities of sirconium and sirconium alloys.

This report has two parts to it discussing mineralogical examination of pitchblende concentrates and nitric acid digest residues. Part I gives the results of a cursory examination with the petrographic microscope of samples of pitchblende concentrates and residues to see if there is a relationship between the mineral composition of the samples and the filterability of the residue. Part II gives a revaluation of the data in Report BMI-241 on the mineral composition of two residues from the nitric acid digestion of pitchblende concentrates at the Rallinckrodt Chemical Works.

From summary: "Methods were developed for measuring various engineering properties of high-density concretes. Data are presented on selected thermal properties of a limonite-iron concrete and the mechanical properties of the limonite-iron concrete, a magnesium oxychloride concrete, and a Portland cement concrete containing steel punchings and shot (no limonite)."

Binary alloys of uranium with 38 elements in the range 0.01 to 1.0 at.% were made. Three alloys having nominal compositions of 0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 at.% were made with most of the elements, and in addition, 12 ternary and quaternary alloys were made. The alloys were cast, rolled to 7/8-inch-diameter bars, heat treated, and examined for grain size.

From introduction: "The work covered in this report is a portion of the experimental research undertaken for the design of a uranium-containing metallic fuel rod for operation in air at 1090 C...This report deals with that phase which involved the testing and evaluation of various metals as barrier costs between uranium alloys, and low-carbon steel. The work is of a preliminary nature and is concerned more with a comparison of the various barrier metals than with the acquisition of numerical data, e.g., diffusion coefficients."

The following progress report was compiled by the research and development division of the zirconium pilot plant. This report discusses two iodination and deposition runs that were completed as of August 20, 1951, as well as the third iodination run that uses a vaporizer condenser that condenses approximately 40 pounds of zirconium iodide.

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 following report studies the effect of flow rates and deposition pressure on the zirconium deposition in the zirconium pilot plant with the use of a Hilco oil purifier for the vacuum pumps that permitted studies to continue through the month.

A report which contains a summary of the research during the period September 1, 1951, to January 31, 1952, on the utilization of electrical measurements to detect chemical and physical differences in various samples of UF4.

This report follows an investigation made on the welding of Ames thorium by the inert-gas-shielded tungsten-arc process as the first part of a program on the joining of thorium. This program is part of a broader research program to develop the technology of thorium.

Abstract: "X-ray and microscopic examination of slags from uranium metal production bombs which gave good and bad yields in the plant at St. Louis have indicated the significance of uranium oxide formation. Apparently the oxide (UO2) results from reaction of the UF4 with linear material, particularly with moisture in the liner."

The following report describes work that was udertaken to determine whether a homogeneous breeder reactor using an alkili metal hydroxide solution is capable of breeding.

Abstract: "A quantitative method for the determination of individual rare earths in thorium down to a level of 0.05 ppm, is described. The procedure consists of a chromatographic cellulose-columns separation followed by a solution-type spectrographic determination. Values are given for the recovery of a number of rare earths using this combined procedure."

Abstract: Information on five uranium binary alloy systems has been surveyed. These systems are the alloys of uranium with zirconium, chromium, columbium, vanadium, and molybdenum. The equilibrium diagrams are discussed, and where available, data have been included on diffusion studies, cladding experiments, and mechanical properties.

Abstract: "The possibility of fabricating a lightweight control rod from one of several high cross-section materials was investigated. The major effort was directed toward the development of a titanium-clad rod containing a composite core of 25 weight per cent Gd2O3 in a matrix of titanium. Experimentation on both subscale and full-scale control-rod cores showed that the fabricating behavior of the two was not analogous. To roll the full-scale core successfully, it was necessary to lower the oxide content to 17 weight per cent. Subscale investigations were also carried out on titanium-cadmium, titanium-lanthanum, and titanium-gadolinium alloys."

From introduction: This report presents the results of the two phases of the work: study of the compatibility of beryllia bodies with a coating material, molybdenum; and studies of beryllia-beryllium body fabrication.

From introduction: Silicon carbide is being considered as a basis material for nonmetallic fuel elements because of its high thermal conductivity, low nuclear cross section, high resistance to thermal rupture, and high degree of stability at high temperature in air. A requirement of the fuel elements is that they be thin and have as low porosity as possible. One shape of element under consideration is 0.050 to 0.070 inch thick by a few inches in width and breadth.

Abstract: "The amount of hydrogen normally present in zirconium and zirconium alloys suffices to reduce their ductility greatly in an impact test at room temperature, after slow cooling from 600 F. Quenching from 600 F or above gives high impact strength, as does removal of hydrogen by high-temperature vacuum annealing. This report discusses the evidence on hydrogen embrittlement, the diffusion, solid solubility, and equilibrium pressure of hydrogen of hydrogen in zirconium, the microstructure, and the effects of hydrogen and heat treatment on the mechanical properties of zirconium."

Abstract: "Creep and creep-rupture tests were made on 25-O aluminum sheet at temperatures of 500 and 550 C. The estimated stresses that will produce 0.5 per cent deformation and rupture in 10,000 hours at 400, 450, 500, and 550 C (data at 400 and 450 C are from BMI-T-29, dated June 9, 1950) are presented."