A new gas-liquid countercurrent system (the ANCO system from Anisole-Complex) for the enrichment of boron isotopes has been developed. It is believed that use of this systems will result in a considerably lower unit cost for enriched boron-10 than was previously possible. The system utilizes the exchange reaction between BF3 (gas) and BF3·anisole (liquid) to concentrate boron-10 in the liquid phase. The single stage isotopic separation factor for this system has been found to vary from 1.039 at 0°C to 1.029 at 30°C. The isotopic exchange reaction has been shown to be rapid. Vapor pressures of the complex as a function of temperature have been measured and the heat of formation of the complex determined. Laboratory experiments show that quantitative removal of the BF3 from the complex can be accomplished by heating. A complete miniature ANCO plant was constructed and operated in the laboratory to test the feasibility of the system. The system was found to operate efficiently with a minimum of attention, and to enrich the isotopes of boron as expected. Based upon the experience obtained with the laboratory ANCO unit, a pilot plant large enough to utilize a 6-inch diameter exchange column was designed. The design calculations of …

This technical report described the formulation of a set of two-group neutron diffusion equations and the solution for the critical fuel cross section in a one-dimensional, multi-region spherical reactor. A subsequent report will describe the ORACLE code developed for survey calculations using this method.

To better understand the solvent extraction process much effort has been and is being expended at ORNL and elsewhere to measure reaction kinetics of the extraction reactions. To date these efforts have been largely unsuccessful, due to the attempt to apply homogeneous reaction kinetics to two-phase systems. An optical method has been devised for analyzing the concentration profile in the vicinity of a quiescent interface during steady-state diffusion at rather large molecular fluxes. The system under study is the extraction of uranyl ion from water by a TBP solution. Considerable effort has been directed to eliminating leaks in the diffusion cell and testing the optical system/

In order to make rational predictions of the operating characteristics of uranium anion exchange contactors, an understanding of the mechanism and kinetics of the exchange is necessary. Toward this objective an effort is being made to determine the equilibrium sorption isotherms and rates of sorption of uranium on the anion exchange resin Dovex 21K.

In order to make rational predictions of the operating characteristics of uranium anion exchange contactors, an understanding of the mechanism and kinetics of the exchange is necessary. Toward this objective an effort is being made to determine the equilibrium sorption isotherms and rates of sorption of uranium on the anion exchange resin Dovex 21K.

Study of the effects on Zircaloy-2 radiation corrosion of a high concentration of excess H2SO4 in a uranyl sulfate test solution using an in-pile loop experiment.