Batch processes on a scale of 250 to 300 g of uranium were developed for the production of uranyl oxinate (8quinolinate) and uranyl malonate. Both compounds are insoluble in water and were found to be suitably soluble in pitch. Uranyl oxinate was prepared by the reaction of an aqueous uranyl nitrate solution with an acetic acid solution of oxine (8-quinolirol) at about 80 deg C. Complete precipitation was accomplished by the addition of ammonium hydroxide. Yields of better than 99.5% were obtained. Uranyl malonate was prepared by the reaction of aqueous solutions of sodium malonate and uranyl nitrate at about 80 deg C in 97 to 98% yield. Uranyl 2-ethylhexanoate was prepared by a transesterification reaction from uranyl acetate and 2-ethylhexanoic acid. Yields of 90% were obtained but the process was quite laborious ard time consuming. A metathesis method of preparation was not successful. (auth)

The batch fluid-bed hydrofluorination of yttrium oxide to yttrium fluoride of low residual oxygen content was studied in a 3-inch Monel column. Bed temperature, hydrofluorination time, and hydrofluoric acid excess were studied, and the contamination due to equipment corrosion was determined. A sample of the fluoride was converted to metal and analyzed for impurities. A brief investigation of the reaction kinetics was also made on the thermobalance. (auth)

5 8 5 of 15% cold-worked Zircaloy-2 as material for process tubes for the NPR has indicated the need for study of the creep properties at elevated temperatures. Single crystals of high-purity Mo are being tify factors affecting irradiation-induced volume changes in graphite by means of sink-float density measurements was continued. The simulation of conditions after lossof- coolant incident in the PRTR by means of a digital computer was continued. The study of the radiometric analysis of Mg was resumed. The program on radiationinduced graft polymerization ss continuing with emphasis on the investigation of factors influencing the formation of free-radical and peroxy grafting sites. A study of the effect of gamma radiation on nitration reactions in the HNO/sub 3/ -cyclohexane system is reported. The manner in which U metal solidifies in cylindrical graphite molds is being studied. A study to determine the feasibility of coating Ni and Ni alloys with Ca by the arcspraying method is presented. A project to investigate the effects of Y/sub 2/O/sub 3/, La/sub 2/O/ sub 3/, and CaO additions to UO/sub 2/ with regard to stabilizing the UO/sub 2/ fluorite structure under both oxidizing and reducing conditions is presented. An evaluation is being made of …

This is the fifty-fourth progress report of the Laboratory for Nuclear Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Progress reported covers the period for Physics and Chemistry through April 30,1959. Progress is reported on: (1) Chemistry of the fission elements group, (2) Nuclear chemistry (inorganic) group, (3) Nuclear chemistry (organic) group, (4) Cosmic ray group, (5) High energy accelerator physics group, (6) Bubble chamber group, (7) Liner acceleratory group, (8) Rockefeller generator group, (9) ONR generator group, (8) Radioactivity group, (9) Cyclotron group, (10) Theoretical group, (11) Personnel listing.

In the course of the PWR Core 2 study program, studies to improve mixing in the lower plenum were carried out using a quarter-scale air-flow model. By use of vanes to form a strong vortex in the lower plenum, excellent lower-plenum mixing was obtained with only slight increase in pressure drop. For the studies relating to a 9-ft core design, the model core was extended downward 4 1/2 in. below the Core I position. The flow baffle used for this configuration extended below the four inlets, with the result that considerable pressure loss occurred in the lower plenum. It was found that mixing could be greatly improved by use of deflectors to divert the inlet flow in a tangential direction. Data on lower- plenum mixing, core-flow distribution, thermal-shield-flow directions and velocities, flowbaffle orifice coefficients, and pressure losses were obtained for the 9-ft core configuration both with flow deflectors and without them. The flow deflectors greatly improved mixing at the expense of increased lowerplenum pressure loss. For the studies relating to a 7.5-ft core design, the core was extended downward 2 1/4 in. The flow baffle used for this core design extended to about the center line of the inlets, so …

ABS>Progress is reported in the following studies: the decay time of irradiated scintillation solutions; the performance of twin scintillation detectors for measuring neutrons in the presence of gamma radiation; the measurement of cosmic ray neutron background with a twin scintillation fast neutron spectrometer; the diffusion and absorption of gases in plastic-walled ionization chambers; calculations of the drift velocity and the energy distribution of electrons of helium, neon, argon, and nitrogen under the action of a uniform electric field; the development of equipment for tracer studies of atmospheric diffusion; the deposition and retention of isotopes of actinium, radon, radium, and thorium in bone; the effects of age on calcium metabolism in bone,; the development of a mathematical theory of the retention of radioactive elements by bone; the development of a reproducible method for directly determining individual alpha activities in mixtures; the design of a flow-gas Geiger counter; a survey of the natural radioactivity of a number of municipal water supplies; measurements of activity in individuals by means of the human spectrometer; measurements of the cesium-l37 content of human subjects; measurements of the atmospheric content of cesium-137 as a function of time; a comparison of background radioactivity at the Laboratory and a …

An attempt is made to present available information pentinent to reactor containment. This is done directly, by summary and reference, or by reference alone. To provide a reference framework, the first review document must necessarily be handled differently from supplemental periodic reviews. The plan is to: (3) provide a detailed account of the problem and suggestions for work needed to yield adequate solutions; (2) present the accumulated knowledge and accomplishments; (3) give an account of experience in applying the containment concept; and (4) append extensive bibliographical material. An attempt is made in each case to indicate the significance of the information and its relation to the problems outlined. (A.C.)

Changes in mean expansion coefficients upon annealing uranium sheet that had been rolled to 80% reduction in thickness at room temperature indicated that three different preferred oriontations could be developed upon recrystallization. One preferred orientation, which is essentially the same as that of the as-rolled material, resulted from annealing for long times at 360 deg C or at a lower tempcrature; a second type was created by annealing for moderate times between 400 and 600 deg C; and the third accompanied grain coarsening at 650 deg C. The microstructures of the as-rolled and annealed specimens were extremely heterogeneous because of the large grain size present prior to final fabrication at room temperature. The as-rolled structures consisted of heavily deformed areas and smaller quantities of lightly deformed material. The annealing of the former was characterized by initial creation of very fine recrystallized grains which were absorbed later by discontinuous growth of larger grains. Lightiy deformed areas, upon annealing, first exhibited recovery by polygonization and then underwent normal recrystallization. (auth)

From abstract: A gamma-radiation telemetering system was utilized by Civil Effects Test Group personnel to measure fallout levels at the Nevada Test Site from the vicinity of Ground Zero out to, and including, an area bounded by Reno, Nevada; Salt Lake City, Utah; Kingman, Arizona; and Barstow, California.

"The sodium-heavy-water reactor concept was evaluated on the basis of (1) its technical feasibility and (2) its potential for the economical production of electric power."

This report reviews the performance of the Lookout Point Dam located on the Middle Fork of the Willamette River in Oregon. "This study is one of a series of similar studies of the foundation and soil mechanics features of earth dams [...] In these studies original design data are reviewed, construction experience is summarized, and performance fo the completed structures is compared with design predictions to provide information for use in the design and construction of future similar projects" (p. 1).

Animals placed in open underground shelters at the Nevada Test Site during an atomic weapon test suffered skin burns of an unknown origin. From a study of the burns it was concluded that the causative agent entered the shelter from outside. the causative agent was subject to rectilinear propagation near the entrance. and the causative agent required a relatively unobstructed opening to effect entrance. The two most likely agents for such burns are hot winds and/or hot wind-borne dust that are forced into the shelter as the shock front from the weapon passes the shelter entrances and radiant energy from the fireball that is scattered into the shelter. A study was made to evaluate the contribution made by radiant energy and, if this contributioo proved to be significant, to suggest means of eliminating it. Extensive measurements were made in the laboratory on a scale model of the shelter and direct measurements were made on an actual shelter to ensure the validity of the laboraiory results. A Photronic cell and a MacBeth Illuminometer were used to measure the entryway transmission of total radiant energy. The consistency of the results with extended and point sources for the model shelter and the agreement …

From Introduction: "The elimination of the burn hazard in shelters depends upon a separate, systematic investigation of each suspected agent. The purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate the contribution made by radiant energy and, if such contribution proved to be significant, to suggest means of eliminating this component."

Monthly magazine discussing natural resources, parks, hunting and fishing, and other information related to the outdoors in Texas.

BS>Results of a study of thermodynamic properties of aqueous hydrochloric acid solutions are presented. A hydrogen electrode was used against a silver-silver chloride electrode at 25 to 275 deg C using hydrogen pressure of about 1 atm. and hydrochloric acid concentrations of 0.005 to 1.0 M. Electromotive measurement techniques are described and resulting data are tabulated. (J.R.D.)

A study of the thermodynamic properties of dilute aqueous hydrochloric acid solutions at elevated temperatures by an electromotive force method was undertaken for several reasons. First, a great need for fundamental information at elevated temperatures was evident from the growing number of industries making use of aqueous solutions at elevated temperatures. Second, the use of the hydrogen electrode against the silver-silver chloride electrode in dilute hydrochloric acid solutions promised to give fundamental thermodynamic information on an important electrode system as well as on hydrochloric acid over a wide temperature range.

A simple model of time-independent neutron transport on a line as a stochastic process, using the method of invariant imbedding, is considered. Non- linear equations for the expected values (flux) are also obtained and solved, the results are compared with the ordinary linear theory, and possible advantages of the new formulation are cited. Generalizations to a large class of transport problems are discussed. The nonlinear timedependent operator for transport in one dimension is considered in detail. It has a pure point spectrum, and expansion theorems can be proved. These results contrast with those for isotropic one-velocity neutron transport in the infinite slab. Here there are only a finite number of points in the point spectrum, with a halfplane in the continuous spectrum. Approximations to the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions for the slab case, as well as extensions to the multivelocity problem, are mentioned. There is a brief discussion of recent spectral and expansion theorems for very general geometries. (auth)

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A method is presented for numerically determining local minima of differentiable functions of several variables. In the proeess of locating each minimum, a matrix is determined which characterizes the behavior of the function about the minimum. For a region in which thc function depends quadratically on the variables, no more than N iterations are required, where N is the number of variables. By suitable choice of starting values and without modification of the procedure, linear constraints can be imposed upon the variables. (auth)