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This document summarizes activities of the Hanford Atomic Products Operation during 1955.

The adsorption of acetic and oleic acids on the surface of thoria was studied by means of infrared spectroscopy. An infrared analysis of the adsorbates before and after adsorption using differential double bean methods indicated that the adsorption of organic acids on thoria surfaces occurs by an esterification reaction between the organic acid and the hydroxylated thoria surface. Ammonia vapor will not adsorb on thoria, indicated the basic character of the hydroxylated surface.

The effect of solvents and temperature on the optical absorption spectrum of a number of substituted aromatic disulfides is reported. The problems offered by the disulfide link and the exchange reactions between disulfides, and between disulfides and thiols, are receiving increasing attention. Recently the base-catalyzed exchange between various alkyl disulfides and the corresponding thiols was studied by means of a radioactive-tracer technique. Our initial purpose was to extend these investigations to a large number of compounds in a variety of experimental conditions using a spectrophotometric technique that, if applicable, would have been incomparably faster.

The absorption spectra for Pu(III), (IV), (VI), and the red Pu(IV)- peroxy complex were determined in HNO/sub 3/ solution. Extinction coefficients for the above species of Pu were measured. Temperature has little effect on the spectra, but variation of acidity causes shifting of absorption peaks and some changes in the extinction coefficients. The absorption spectra and extinction coefficients in the region 390 to 1200 m mu were measured for chromic, nickelous, manganous, calcium, lanthanum, aluminum, ferrous. ferric, and permanganate ions in HNO/sub 3/ solutions. In addition, the effects of nitrite, oxalic acid, sulfamic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and various HNO/sub 3/ concentrations on the extinction coefficients of some of these ions were determined. The chromic, nickelous, ferrous, and permanganate ions, and ferric ion with oxalic acid, have sufficiently high extinction coefficients to cause inaccuracies in valence determinations of Pu in solutions containing high concentrations of these ions, unless corrections are made. (auth)

Energy distributions and energy release rates of fission product gammas and energy release rates of the fission product betas are presented in tabular and graphical form, and the computation methods are outlined in detail. The data given for beta and gamma decay rates pertain directly to the thermal fission of U/ sup 235/. The possible effects of neutron energy spectra, other than thermal, and neutron flux level upon the fission product decay rates were examined, and the results are reported. The importance of bremsstrahlung caused by beta particles from fission products and the effect of photoneutron production due to the photonuclear reactions of the fission product gammas with D or Re were studied. Methods of evaluating these effects in the reactor are briefly described. (J.E.D.)

A general survey is presented of information in the uranium alloy field. Emphasis is centered on alpha uranium-rich alloys of special interest as uranium- base fuel element materials. The systems treated include uranium-molybdenum, uranium-silicon, uraniumzirconium, uranium-niobium, and uranium-zirconiumniobium (high uranium compositions). The uraniumfissium alloys are discussed in relation to their projected applications as fast reactor fuels. Equilibrium diagrams, transformation kinetics, and other pertinent data are presented for the uranium plus fissium'' element systems, e.g., uranium-ruthenium, uranium-rhodium, uraninum-palladium, and uraniummolybdenum-ruthenium. The properties covered include constitution phase diagrams, metallographic structure, physical and mechanicaly properties, transformation kinetics, crystallographic structure, thermal cycling, ad irradiation stability (where pertinent). Correlations between microstructure, heat treatment, and dimensional stability are emphasized, with particular reference to the U-2 wt.% Zr, U-5 wt.% Zr, and 1 1/2 wt.% Nb alloys. A discussion of the role of alloying and heattreatment in improving the dimensionaly stability and corrosion resistance of uraaium is presented, and an evaluation is made of the present status in attaining these objectives. (auth)

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>Results of solvent extraction studies on Au, Ga, Nb, and Ta are given. Data on the dependence of B/sub A/, epsilon /sub A/ and S/sub A/ on A and on nucleon shells in beta decay are summarized. Rates of hydrolysis of benzyl and benzhydryl halides and methyl iodide in H/sub 2/O and D/sub 2/O are tabulated. Values for the solvolysis of triphenplmethyl fluoride, the decarboxylation rates of beta -keto acids, and the decomposition of single chlorosulfites are included. Experiments were conducted to examine the velocity spectrum of cosmic ray mu mesons at sea level, the incidence of air showers and their direction of arrival at sites in Bolivia and India, short period fluctuations in cosmic-ray intensity, the mu -meson component of large air showers, polarization of cosmic-ray mu mesons, and other related measurements. Photographic emulsion research continued on the dynamics of K/sup +/ scattering and on a search for the Pais-Piccioni effects. The linear accelerator work centered about a study of gamma -ray induced neutron spectra of Bi, Pb, Au, and Ta. The Rockefeller Van de Graaff Generator work was concerned with the measurement of g-factors of low-lying excited states of Sm, Nd, and Gd. Nuclear energy level studies using …

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The progress and trends of research are presented along with a description of operational, service, end administrative activities. Some scientific and technical details are given on research programs in the physical sciences, life sciences, and engineering, however, more complete technical information is available in quarterly progress reports, BNL technical reports, and scientific and technical periodicals. A bibliography of these publications is appended. (For preceding period see BNL-426.) (D.E.B.)

This technical report constitutes a brief review of the work undertaken, entirely or in part, under the Contract AT(30-1)-1772 with eh United States Atomic Energy Commission. The work published during 1959 is listed at the end of this report and copies of the reprints or reports are attached where available. These investigations have been concerned with the examination of defect production and behavior as it may be observed by high frequency ultrasonic attenuation and velocity (modulus) changes in such materials as quartz, silicon, germanium, alkali halides (especially NaCl and XCl), high purity aluminum, and glass containing boron. The irradiations used are cobalt 60 gamma-ray irradiation and the reactor irradiation obtained in the Brookhaven National Laboratory graphite reactor.

A field investigation undertaken to determine the applicability of electric-radiometric logging techniques

From Summary: "A review of the status of the knowledge on turbine-blade cooling and a description of pertinent NACA investigations are presented. The current limitations in performance of uncooled and cooled engines are briefly discussed. Finally, the knowledge available and investigations to increase the knowledge on heat transfer, cooling-flow, and performance characteristics of cooled turbines are discussed."

The investigation of magnesitic-dolomite uranium ores from Union Miniere du Haute Katanga, Belgian Congo, was undertaken in order to examine the possibility of separating the uranium minerals from the carbonate minerals by Heavy Media Separation or froth flotation; thus reducing the sulfuric acid consumption during the uranium leach. In addition, the effect of carbonate leaching the whole ore and carbonate flotation products was examined.

Routine monitoring procedures are summarized. Based on samples collected by continuous air monitors, the wcekly average value for air contamiration in the laboratory area was 1.98 x 10/sup -12/ mu c/cc. Radioactive fall-out was determined by measuring the total activity and total number of particles collected on gum paper fall-out trays. Two peak periods of activity in July and September were concluded to be the result of weapons tests. Meteorological data are tabulated. Data are included from a survey of natural radioactive elements in TVA lake waters, activity levels in samples of river and lake waters in the laboratory drainage area, rain water, and laundry decontamination measuremcnts. The combination film dosimeter-personnel identification badge was redesigned. A drawing of the badge and its component parts is included. Design modifications are described which wcre made in an automatic air sampler rized from radiation surveys. (C.H.)

For presentation at the American Chemical Society's Nuclear Technology Symposium, Boston, Apr. 5-10, Information is presented from studies with materials and conditions simulating those expected in anm aqueous homogeneous reactor for the formation of insoluble corrosion and fission products in aqueous UO/sub 2/ SO/sub 4/ solutions used as a reactor fuel. Sulfate salts which become insoluble as the temperature inereases deposited preferentially and reversibly on hot walls. Oxides from hydrolysis of sulfate salts deposit on any surfaces while insoluble corrosion products released into the solution show variable degrees of circulation. (auth)

The solution-type research reactors placed in operation by Atomics International fall into three power range categories. The 50-kw type has the advantages of a large graphite refiector, both horizontal and vertical thermal columns, and gamma ray exposure facilities in its sub-pile area. The 1.5-kw reactor has a 5 1/2 -foot square vertical thermal column for exponential work. The 10 watt unit is intended as a training and minimum research facility. These reactors and their operating characteristics are described. (M.H.R.)

. A review of recent dcvelopments and improvements in aqueous processes for accomplishing separation and decontamination of irradiated fuels from power reactors is presented Research and development is currently being pursued in tbe United States on three distinct types of fuel processing methods; pyrometallurgical processes, fluoride volatility processes, and aqueous processes. Although the ultimate role of these processing methods in a nuclear power economy cannot be accurately assessed at the present time, it is felt that the proven reliabilita and versatility of aqueous processes guarantees them a prominent role in power reactor fuel reprocessing. Aqueous solvent extraction processes, for example, are ideally suited for installation in central processing plants which are designed to handle fuels from a number of power reactors generating a total of several thousand megawatts or more of power. Under these circumstances, nuclear fuels can be processed by continuous processes at high throughputs and at high on-stream efficiency and therefore at low unit cost. (auth)

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Report documenting the progress of the Army Gas-Cooled Reactor Systems Program to develop a mobile, low-power, nuclear power plant for Military field operation.

Attempts to secure a high degree of synchronization of cell division of the Krebs mouse ascites carcinoma, by combined use of aminopterin and citrovorum factor, and by use of colchicine and N-acetyl colchinol, were unsuccessful. In the course of the work, a new method for securing smears of ascites tumor cells was out, which we believe will be found useful