Technical report describing a rapid and quantitative radiochemical method for the analysis of neptunium (237). This method is based on the extraction of neptunium (IV) with thenoyl-trifluoracetone in xylene. Neptunium (237) is separated free from other alpha emitters and from non-radioactive interferences, and the method may be readily adapted to remote control. [From Abstract]

A method for determining the concentration of Li6 in aqueous solution has been tested using the nuclear reactions Li6 (n,α)H3 and O16 (H3,n)F18. Annihilation 7 radiation of induced 1.87 hour F18 radioactivity was counted with a well-type scintillation counter, and the radioactivity per millimole of lithium was found to be independent of lithium concentration below about 0.2moles/liter. The sensitivity limit for detecting lithium is less than 0.1 micromole (0.0075 micromole Li6).

Various nuclear characteristics of two-region spherical homogeneous reactors have been computed in order to provide information for the design of HRE-3. Equilibrium isotope concentrations were established using an ORACLE code, and a two-group model was used to obtain critical concentrations and flux distributions. Breeding ratio is plotted as a function of reactor size, blanket thorium concentration, and other design and operating parameters, and the time required for a demonstration breeding is discussed. Tables of results, including neutron balances, are given for selected reactors. a number or relations are presented for estimating the effects of fission products, copper, corrosion products, H2O, and the core tank on breeding ratio.