"The St. Louis Refinery produced its first UO3 and UO2 in 1942, and its first UF4 and U metal in 1943. The accent has always been on production, and the function of the extremely small research and development groups has been to aid the production units in their job. ... Recently, there has been a growing realization of the need for a broader and more detailed knowledge of both the chemical and technological aspects of all phases of work. ... This is the first of a series of quarterly progress reports on the research and development activities at the St. Louis Refinery."--p. 6

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."

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.

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.

It is considered appropriate occasionally to make independent checks on the effectiveness of the plant laundry in removing radioactive contamination from plant-issue protective clothing. Previous surveys have offered constructive criticism resulting in improved handling of high level and soft beta contaminated clothing and incorporation in new designs of ventilating and air sampling recommendations. Recurrently the adequacy of laundry reject limits is questioned, and only recently an accurate, special study resulted in relaxed limits for Metal Preparation area clothing. A current question concerns the advisability of determining the reject level on the beta-gamma monitor more frequently than once a day. 2 tabs.

From abstract: "Two samples, each containing an estimated 10 curies (2 mg) of polonium-210, were purified by vacuum distillation and evaporated onto oblique sections of X-ray targets made of copper. Four lines of the K series and ten lines of the L series of the X-ray spectrum of polonium were recorded with a one-meter transmission crystal spectrograph and a 25-centimeter Bragg spectrograph, respectively. Measured wavelengths agree approximately with values predicted by extrapolation of Moseley's law and with those claimed by Hulubei. Decay of polonium-210 (half life = 138 days) and growth of lead-206 (stable) were observed over a period of 180 days."

From abstract: "The reaction between hydrogen and oxygen with the aid of various catalysts (especially platinum on aluminua) has been studied, and the operating variables such as flow rates, space velocity, temperature, and gas composition have been examined rather extensively. It has been found that hydrogen and oxygen in stoichiometric proportions and mixed with either steam or helium may be made to react to the extent of 99.5% or greater at space velocities up to 30,000 hr-1, or even higher, at temperatures from 100[degrees] to 900[degrees]C, and with mixtures ranging from less than 1% hydrogen to mixtures containing 12% hydrogen and 6% oxygen. Richer mixtures, including undiluted electrolytic gas (H2 + 1/2 O2) have been used with catalysts less active than platinum (e.g. copper, silver, nickel and V2O5) but here the gas mixture is explosive and care must be taken to prevent explosions. The thermal reaction between hydrogen and oxygen diluted with steam has also been investigated at temperatures between 500[degrees] and 800[degrees]C."

The test established that a practical orifice selecting device can be made and used to control the water flow rate to a process tube at either of two accurately calibrated rates with no loss of accuracy in flow measurement. With the selector tested, there was no flow restriction during the orifice transition. The pressure fluctuations during the change were small in magnitude, and caused no operational problem. The test demonstrated that orifice selection is feasible from operating other factors justify their use.

The following report describes a successful procedure used for the determination of americium in the presence of plutonium. Provided are articles listed that describe the research done in developing the method.

"An apparatus was designed and fabricated to obtain film samples from irradiated process slugs. This apparatus has been used to obtain film samples from slugs of the sodium dichromate elimination test."

Report discussing a study on the number of radioactive particles in the atmosphere by Hanford Works. The study's l procedures and results are included.

From introduction: "Analytical procedures for the determination of plutonium samples from the extraction and concentration plants utilize the carrying of the hydroxylamine-reduced trivulent plutonium by coprecipitation on lanthanum fluoride. Most other plutonium procedures also take advantage of the efficient carrying on lanthanum fluoride."

The following report describes the process to determine the method for determination of americium in the presence of plutonium and uranium.

This report presents data recorded during a program made to improve uranium slug quality in January, 1952, to determine what improvements could be made in the welding process.

This is a progress report of the production reactors on the Hanford Reservation for the month of July 1952. This report takes each division (e.g., manufacturing, medical, accounting, occupational safety, security, reactor operations, etc.) of the site and summarizes its accomplishments and employee relations for that month.

This memorandum provides a discussion of material lost upon rupture of a fuel element.

This report is a memorandum requesting that two swaged thorium rods being held a MIT be sent to the Savannah River Plant for examination. The memorandum is dated October 15, 1952.

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Price Daniel, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: Maximum compensation of DeWitt County officers and their deputies.

From to the files: To date, all the mineralization seen in the Monument Valley area in the Shinarump formation has been in scour channels. The mineralized rock occurs at or near the bottom of the channel. On Hoskinnini Mesa, all the channels examined to date contain some mineralized material. Channels observed may in some cases contain copper without apparent uranium mineralization; others definitely exhibit copper-uranium mineralization.

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This report addresses the density-weight percent molarity conversion equations for Uranyl sulfate-water solutions at 25°C and between 100-300°C.

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