Technical report. Numerous application of various column adsorption techniques to inorganic analytical chemistry have appear in the literature. The comparatively recent introduction of ion exchange resins has resulted in the development of efficient, simple, and rapid column adsorption methods. the principal service of column adsorption methods to analytical chemistry is that of providing a relatively simple means of separating an element in a sufficiently pure state so that a direct precipitation, ignition, and weighting, for example, will suffice to complete the quantitative analysis. Systems involving uranyl nitrate will naturally be emphasized in this report but information will be included concerning the separation of the individual members of a series from one another, such as in the alkaline earths and the rare earths.

Technical report: Measurements have been made on the equilibrium between Cu, Cu2+, U4+, and UO22+ in H2SO4 in an attempt to establish the value of the U4+ - UO22+ couple potential. The value of the formal potential for the U3+ - U4+ couple in 1N HCl at 0 degrees C was determined to be + 0.65 v.

Abstract. A method for the preparation of beryllium oxide of high purity is presented. Beryllium basic acetate (BeO-3Be(C2H3O2)2) is prepared from the metal or a convenient salt, a chloroform solution of this material extracted with redistilled water, the dried basic acetate distilled in a quartz apparatus, and this purified material converted to the oxide by fuming down with sulfuric acid and igniting at 1000 degrees C. Impurities detectable spectrographically were reduced to a very low level.

Abstract. A satisfactory method has been found for dissolving thorium metal and thorium oxide in heat-treated 25-12 stainless steel vessels without excessive corrosion of the vessels. The dissolution medium consists of strong HNO3 containing a small amount of fluoride or fluo-silicate. the fluoride required has no harmful effects on a subsequent solvent-extraction step for a separation of uranium isotopes from the dissolved thorium.

Abstract. The distribution coefficient of U(VI) between perchloric acid solutions and benzene solutions of TTA has been measured as a function of the acidity. It was possible to interpret the data in terms of the charge on the U(VI) species present in the aqueous phase. The experiments indicate that U(VI) exists as an ion charge +2 at acidities from 0.1M to 2.5M. In the interpretations of the distribution data, it was necessary to know the acidity coefficient of the uranyl chelate in the benzene solution. This was determined by measurement of the solubility of the compound UO2K2 - xH2). The activity coefficient of UO2K2 was found to decrease rapidly as the concentration of TTA in the benzene phase increased above 0.1M. This is probably due to the formation of a species involving more than two TTA molecules per U(VI)

Technical report that attempts to bring together the various chemical procedures which proved most useful in studying the results of cyclotron bombardment or small scale neutron bombardments of heavy element targets. The report is limited to the elements of the "actinide", or second rare earth series, starting with thorium and including the newly discovered elements of atomic number 95 and 96. Every attempt is made to include all details necessary so this report can serve as a practical laboratory guide. The report covers separation problems, time factors, and dealing with dangerously radioactive targets.

Technical report describing the attempt to separate the long lived fission product oxides by volatilization methods. A fractionization crucible was used. The fractionations give a fair idea of the relative volatilities of the longer lived fission products and also of the degrees of separation of the plutonium oxide or oxides from the fission products.

Abstract. Samples of pile graphite, irradiated in a test-hole at Hanford for 15 months, have been assayed for radioactive C14, yielding 0.38 ± 0.04 microcuries per gram. At this level of activity, the pile graphite contains very valuable amounts of C14. The relation between the above assay and the probable average assay of pile graphite is discussed, and it is concluded that the latter is almost certainly above 0.3 uc/ gram. Controlled oxidation of this graphite, either with oxygen at ~ 750°C, or with chromic acid "cleaning solution" at room temperature, yields early fractions which are highly enriched in C14. Concentrations of 5-fold with oxygen, and 50-fold with CRO{sub3}, have been observed. The relation between the observed enrichment and the Wigner effect is discussed, and a mechanism accounting for the observations put forward. According to this, about 25% of the stable carbon atoms in the lattice have been displaced by Wigner effect, a large fraction of which have healed the migrating to crystal edges. All the C14 atoms have been displaced, and the same fraction of these migrate to the edges. The enrichment then results from surface oxidation, in the oxygen case. Predictions are made on the basis of this …