This report describes progress in testing non-aqueous extraction methods for leaching Western ores of uranium and vanadium.

In the canning operation, the preparation of aluminum components is important in assuring uniform wetting of the aluminum surfaces with Al-Si. The surfaces of the components should be free of dirt and grease and should also have a minimum retention of non-metallic film, normally aluminum oxide, for the best wetting properties. At present, dirt and grease are removed satisfactorily by a vapor degreaser followed by a Duponol-alkaline wash. The standard specified method of removing the aluminum oxide film from aluminum cans is a four-minute etch in twenty percent phosphoric acid. The oxide is removed from the caps by an eight-minute etch in twenty per cent phosphoric acid or an alternate etch of a one percent solution of hydrofluosilicic acid. If the phosphoric acid etch is not controlled properly, it is possible to form a thin, inert phosphate coating on the surface of the aluminum, which is undesirable for good wetting characteristics. In an effort to find a better etchant for aluminum components, an investigation of various commercial and non-commercial etchants was undertaken. This report details results of this investigation.

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A set of four strong focusing magnetic quadrupole lenses has been constructed and operated. Each lens consists of four air cooled electromagnets with pole tips having a hyperbolic cross section. Each lens is 4 in. long and has an aperture 2 in. in diameter. Measurements of the magnetic field demonstrate that the hyperbolic cross section satisfies the requirements of a constant magnetic field gradient very well. The technique of deflecting a current carrying flexible wire has been used to measure the trajectory of charged particles through the system of lenses. It has been observed that the strong focusing requirements are satisfied. The system of lenses was then used to focus 0.5 Mev protons, 20 Mev deuterons, and 40 Mev alpha particles. The parallel beam of 0.5 Mev protons was detected by observing the incandescence of a quartz plate while the protons were bombarding it. The focused beam was less than 1 mm in diameter. The astigmatic 20 Mev deuteron beam from the 60 in. cyclotron was increased in current density by a factor greater than 30.

The spontaneous fission rate of plutonium-240 has been redetermined and found to be 1.51 X 106 events/g/hr.

"Experimental results are presented for transonic flow post cone-cylinder, axially symmetric bodies. The drag coefficient and surface Mach number are studied as the free-stream Mach number is varied and, wherever possible, the experimental results are compared with theoretical predictions. Interferometric results for several typical flow configurations are shown and an example of shock-free supersonic-to-subsonic compression is experimentally demonstrated" (p. 963).