Interest has been expressed in continuously monitoring the beta activity of the uranyl nitrate solution pumped to the RCU receiver tank, to facilitate operation at higher flow rates and with younger feeds. A beta scintillation detector has been developed which should make this feasible, and it is proposed that it be tested on stream for this use.

Abstract: "Extraction equipment of the multistage mixer-settler type has been found useful for providing the intensive contact between phases that is required in processes involving complex compounds of the heavy metals. In this report, the factors of mixer-settler design and operation are discussed with reference to the known types of mixer-settler units. Following this review, a detailed description is given of mixer-settler units constructed and installed in this laboratory."

This report discusses the results of an exploration made for uranium sources at the Caribou Mine in Boulder County, Colorado.

Summarizing the findings of investigations of radiometrically anomalous areas and discussing recommendations for a diamond drilling program.

This technical report is a summary of unclassified theoretical work on propagation of one-dimensional shock waves and on the propagation of spherical shock waves in gases.

Two xenon extraction runs were made this month. It appears that a small design change in Trap #2 will be necessary so that a dry ice-trichloroethylene slurry can be used for coolant rather than liquid freon. For each of the runs this month the enriched generator was exposed for four hours in the est pile operating at 100 watts. A period of eight hours for cooling and xenon builidup was allowed before the collection and separation runs were started.

"These notes are intended to serve as a summary of the current knowledge of properties of materials. In the future some need may exist for related information on methods od testing, design and fabrication. This issue presents information on thorium with subdivisions..."

The following report analyzes several reported incidents of uranium-rich zirconium-uranium explosions. This report offers notes designed to describe conditions sufficient to cause an explosion with an 80% wt. uranium alloy.

Due to some lack of knowledge of the energy per fission, there has been some uncertainty over the absolute power of the Bulk Shielding Reactor. This report analyzes measurements to state the absolute power of the BSR within a few percent.

Abstract: "The spectrum of plutonium has been observed over the temperature range of 2000 to 2600 C and a wavelength coverage of 3476 to 6888 A. The spectrum was excited in a modified King furnace."

Hanford uranium contains minute angular inclusions which affect the microstructure, reactivity, and other important factors controlling the serviceability of the metal. Small quantities of the inclusions have been isolated by chemical means, and the x-ray diffraction patterns and chemical analyses of the isolated materials have been determined. As a first step in the identification of the inclusions present in rolled uranium, a search was made for a chemical method of separating the inclusions from the matrix metal.

From abstract: "The circumstances are described pertaining to an explosion in a TNX evaporator during the concentration of a uranyl nitrate-nitric acid solution. TBP and Amsco diluent were probably present in the evaporator charge. A laboratory program involving small-scale atmospheric and closed-vessel distillations of various mixtures of UNH, HNO3, Amsco, TBP, and water indicate that an exothermic reaction between TBP and UNH, or between TBP and HNO3, or both, was responsible for the explosion. The danger areas of temperature, TBP concentration, pressure, and heating rate are defined and recommendations are made for safe evaporator operation.

From abstract: General expressions relating product stream compositions to the operating conditions of countercurrent stagewise extraction columns are derived by an inductive method, and the conversion of the general equations to ones involving the particular case of constant extraction factor is demonstrated. For comparison, the derivation of simple column equations by the use of finite difference equations is included.

The decontamination of portable instruments by the Calibration Unit has presented a problem for some time. Most of the contamination is in the 100 to 500 c/m or 500 to 2000 d/m range. Higher levels of contamination can usually be reduced to these levels, but further cleaning proves quite difficult

The following report analyzes whether there is a difference between the neutron streaming in the "armor plate" and 347 stainless steel.

Abstract: The rate of reaction of oxygen with arc-melted and rolled iodide thorium has been found to obey the parabolic rate law in the temperature range of 850 to 1415 C at 1 atmosphere pressure. The rate constant can be expressed as k = 6 x 10⁷ x e⁻⁶³³⁰⁰/RT cm²/sec. The energy of activation, 63,300 cal/mole, has a probable error of 2,100 cal/mole.

During the canning of slugs for Production Test 313-105-3-M, a high number of rejects were caused by gas voids in the A1-S1 bonding layer. Since the heat treatment of the slugs in a molten salt bath resulted in a chemically altered surface, an investigation was made to determine the volume of gas evolved from salt-bath heat-treated slugs as compared to other types of slugs. This test was designed as a preliminary test to determine if there were a significant differences.

The remodeling, fabrication, and instrumentation of a high vacuum system are described. The faults encountered with the old system and their solution are outlined. Tests were made on diffusion pump oils and on the reduction of pump oil back diffusion. The measurement of high vacuum pressures by a cold cathode ionization gage at various points on a vacuum system are discussed.

Report discussing the effects of thermal diffusion length and certain details in the design of light water moderated reactors and their effect on reactivity.