Optical microscopic examination of air- and rain-borne dust shows most of the particles to be less than one micron in diameter. Electron microscopic examination of the same dust shows predominantly clusters of particles whose individual diameters are in the range 200 to 1000 A. The residue obtained by filtering rain water through a millipore filter is found to be slightly radioactive in more than half the cases observed.

During an experiment involving alpha phase annealing (at 610 to 655 deg C for 5 and 10 min) of beta-quenched uranium, it was determined that the relatively coarse, irregular shaped grains (0.08 to 0.150 mm in diameter) in the beta-quenched structure, were replaced by fine equiaxed grains (0.04 to 0.09 mm in diameter). (auth)

Report issued by the APDA over the work conducted between August 1954 and January 1955. Descriptions of the studies, facilities, and equipment used during this time are presented. This report includes tables, illustrations, and photographs.

Report issued by the Bureau of Mines over the motor fuels sold during the summer of 1954. Properties of the fuel samples are presented. This report includes tables, and maps.

In the most general sense, an accelerator is any device designed to give kinetic energy to ions or electrons. According to this definition the earliest cathode ray and canal ray tubes, made before the turn of the century were accelerators, the same principle is used in the x-ray tube, the cathode ray oscilloscope, the mass spectrograph, the electron microscope, and many other modern devices. However, we shall limit this discussion to those accelerators made for the particular purpose of inducing nuclear reactions, and to a few others that may be of interest in this connection, although they were originally designed for other purposes, such as high-voltage x-ray tubes intended for deep therapy or the radiography of metals. Although much work related to accelerators is thus omitted, it must not be forgotten that the principles learned and the practical experience gained by this work were of great importance in the development of the machiens now used in nuclear physics.

This report discusses tests of several nonaqueous extractive methods meant to leach Western ores of uranium and vanadium. Explanations of different methods are given as well as their extraction results.

From Abstract: "The heat treatment and mechanical properties of four zirconium alloys...were investigated. Tensile, hardness, Jominy end-quench, and metallographic data constitute the basis for much of the report. Other data reported include the results of high-temperature creep, tensile, hardness, cold rolling, thermal-cycling, and dynamic-modulus tests." A connection is made between the behavior of these four alloys and more alloys in the zirconium-uranium system.

Abstract: "Blacosolv, trichloroethylene, is used in degreasing uranium metal. Tests were made under possible industrial conditions to determine whether a hazardous reaction between uranium and Blacosolv could occur. Temperature-rise measurements showed that there was no reaction of the metal, in various states of subdivision, with Blacosolv at temperatures up to 850 F. However, a reaction was observed in tests under which the finely divided metal, wet with solvent, was subjected to a severe impact."

In view of contamination difficulties within the Redox operation, number of items are being considered to improve this situation. It is the objective of this document to list and describe seven times which it is felt would contribute most toward improvement. It is also an objective to present for RDS-D-12 Group consideration the recommendations of representatives from Manufacturing, Technical, and Design in these matters with the expectation that a project proposal written in general terms for overall contamination improvement would be prepared.

Abstract: "The analysis of an immobilized plasma is here extended to the case where the geometry is cylindrical rather than Cartesian. (This report, UCRL-4439 (Rev, 4 constitutes Part II of the report series (UCRL-4466, Parts I, III, and IV) dealing with this general problem.)"

The following report describes the process of epoxy resin casting of high-voltage transformers, bushings, and potheads.

This report discusses two methods which have been considered to reduce the rear face activity. The first involves the use of a solids purge to scour out the activity, and the second employs the use of a chromic acid purge to put the activity into solution. Solids purging is found to be ineffective in reducing rear face activity levels. A chromic acid purge conducted at 60 C for 1/2 hour can be expected to reduce the Zn{sup 65} activity level about five fold without injuring the reactor or causing any harmful aftereffects.

It is the purpose of this document to review and up-date the previously presented scope basis for the activated silica installations in light of the existence of the Phase I portion and the present expected water flow requirements of Project CG-558. It is the further purpose to outline the recommended scope bases for the sulfuric acid addition system for pH correction at all areas.

The program of the Pile Graphite Studies Unit for the past two years has been directed toward relaxed graphite specifications. The main emphasis in these studies has been on the feasibility of higher permissible maximum graphite temperatures and higher percentages of helium in the gas systems. The success of this program is evidenced by the potential pile power levels permitted by present process specifications. The present graphite Process Specifications will not permit heat generation associated with tube powers above 800 KW at, B{sub 9} D{sub 9} and F Piles. Therefore, further relaxation is necessary if tube powers of 1000--1200 KW anticipated after completion of the water plant expansion program are to be realized. In extending the present program to permit these anticipated tube powers, production tests authorizing full pile tests for raising permissible maximum graphite temperatures and increasing the percentage of helium are necessary. A production test authorizing the operation of D Pile at sufficient constant power level to attain graphite temperatures of 460--500 C with 60{plus_minus}5 percent helium has been agreed upon and is now circulating for final approval. A production test has been prepared to evaluate graphite burnout, rates at maximum temperature of 600 C with localized regions …

This document presents a summary of work and progress at the Hanford Engineer Works for December 1954. The report is divided into sections by department. A plant wide general summary is included at the beginning of the report, after which the departmental summaries begin. The Manufacturing Department reports plant statistics, and summaries for the Metal Preparation, Reactor and Separation sections. The Engineering Department`s section summarizes work for the Technical, Design, and Project Sections. Costs for the various departments are presented in the Financial Department`s summary. The Medical, Radiological Sciences, Utilities and General Services, Employee and Public Relations, and Community Real Estate and Services departments have sections presenting their monthly statistics, work, progress, and summaries.

Undesirably high radiation dosage rates are being encountered in the discharge areas during reactor outages. This is costly to operations in terms of burn-out time, extra work crews, and extended outages require to complete scheduled work. Significant savings in operating costs would be realized if the rear face radiation levels could be reduced during shutdowns. As a first step towards this some measurements have been made to identify and locate the major sources of this radiation. These results are given in this report. It is suggested that this information may be of use in devising a water treatment or purge technique which could reduce the rear face contamination problem encountered during outages.

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, John Ben Shepperd, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: Duties of County Auditor, approving claims, bills and accounts against the county and related questions.

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, John Ben Shepperd, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: Whether S.J.R. No. 14 as it pertains to the Texas Turnpike Authority prohibits the State Highway Commission from spending further funds as authorized under Sec. 20 of House Bill No. 4 of the 53rd Legislature.

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, John Ben Shepperd, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: Legality of obtaining Federal Old Age and Survivors Insurance coverage for county appointive officers and employees presently covered by a county retirement fund established pursuant to Article XVI, Section 62(b), Tex. Const.

The object of the production test described in this report is to obtain full pile high temperature graphite burn-out data. In addition, the test will supply valuable data on the postulated influence of neutron temperature on plutonium purity.

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During the summer months of 1954, the spare 190-C process pump unit was required to be placed in service for extended periods of time due to the motor winding temperatures exceeding the manufacturers recommended maximum operating limits. With nine unit operation each pump was required to supply approximately 9800 gpm to maintain the established power level of the 105-C Reactor. An operating condition requiring all process pump units to be in service simultaneously is-not desirable. Such a condition not only subjects the Reactor Unit to a possible unscheduled outage should trouble develop in any component of a pump assembly but in all probability would delay a startup of the Reactor Unit until arrangements could be completed to operate at reduced pressure in order to eliminate sustained over-heating of the pump drive motors. The purpose of this report is to summarize the activities undertaken during this investigation in order to arrive at satisfactory conclusions and recommendations for eliminate the over-heating of the related motor windings under present and proposed operating conditions.

Abstract: A part of the Green River Basin airborne reconnaissance project, re: memo to Phillip L. Merritt, March 12, 1954, Proposed Airborne Reconnaissance Project, Green River Basin, Wyoming, was completed during the months from July though October 1954. No uranium mineralization of commercial value was found.