Abstract: In one of the final stages of the process at the Mallinckrodt Uranium Refining Center, a 45 per cent nitric acid solution at about 170 F is used to pickle the calcined magnesium fluoride scale off the uranium derbies. The increase in the fluoride-ion content of the bath tends to promote corrosion of the Type 347 stainless tanks. This attack becomes excessive if 0.3 g/liter of fluoride ion or more is present. It was found that if aluminum ion is added to the solution the corrosiveness of the bath can be controlled. Two or three times as much aluminum ion as fluoride ion present is found satisfactory at 170 F. Indications are that the tying up of the fluoride-ion by the complexion [AlF6]8 is responsible for the corrosion control.

Abstract: "Four brazing methods and one other joining process were evaluated for the joining of aluminum spacer fins to flat-plate aluminum-clad fuel elements. None of these methods appear completely suitable for use in a mass-production operation. Furnace brazing and salt-bath brazing were most promising. However, the mechanical problems involved in the application of either process deter their recommendation. Resistance brazing and torch-brazing were proven impractical. The great difference in mass between the two pieces being joined prevents the use of either the resistance or torch method. Pressure bonding is not applicable because of the excessive deformation of parts being joined."

From abstract: "In the present paper, the above methodology is investigated stochastic processes in general and it is shown how certain choices of sets can be made which preserve the linearity properties, though not necessarily the Markovian principles"

Abstract: "This is a detailed report on the circuitry, the electrical components, and the electrical engineering problems of Table Top I, the 140-kilojoule experimental model of a magnetic mirror machine being developed at the University of California Radiation Laboratory, Livermore."

Abstract: "A dc magnetic mirror machine has been built and tested by the ARC Research Group. Radiofrequency enhancement has been included in the design through the use of rf plates in the vacuum chamber of the machine. For the proton beams of the order of 1[mu]a, the mirror action has been observed as a function of both the rf voltage and the magnitude of the mirror field relative to the main magnetic field. Current measurements were performed with the aid of a Faraday cup with suitable bias grids."

Thesis discussing the study of deuterons produced at wide angles to a beam of 300 Mev neutrons and a beam of 300 Mev protons. It was observed that the deuterons are formed by "a two step process in which the incident nucleon, or its collision partner, is scattered and then picks up in the same nucleus." Some tritons are also observed, and it is thought that they are formed by the same process as the deuterons. From these findings, the author concludes that "for heavy nuclei, there is a nuclear skin rich in neutrons."

This report deals with the formation of oriented layers of an oxide which form during oxidation without any evident relationship to the parent and underlying metal. It is offered without explanation or proposed mechanism.

"The purpose of this specification is to describe a procedure for preparation of pure BF3 gas, suitable for use in BF3 proportional neutron counters."

The rapid development of the field of atomic energy during the past few years now permits the exploration of applications to medicine involving new concepts in the treatment of cancer. One such has been the study of neutron capture therapy which is being developed at the Brookhaven National Laboratory.

One might expect that the Cosmotron would offer certain advantages over cosmic rays for the study of heavy unstable particles; provided, of course, that it can produce them. In the first place, the conditions under which they are produced could be controlled to a considerably greater extent. In the second place, it might be possible to arrange conditions under which they would be observed more abundantly, an actual beam of heavy mesons being the ideal situation.

The study of the interaction of the electromagnetic field with nuclei has proved very fruitful for the elucidation of many details of nuclear structure. The γ-ray transitions observed in either absorption or emission can be divided into three classes, depending on whether the matrix elements of the transition are (1) much larger, (2) approximately equal or (3) much smaller than those expected for single proton transitions which are usually taken as a norm. In class (1) we find (a) the broad transitions leading to the "giant resonances" in the nuclear photo-electric effect, and (b) the "fast" transitions between low lying states, especially for even-even nuclei far removed from magic numbers. The large matrix elements and the regular dependence of their magnitude on the atomic weight speak for cooperative phenomena in which many nucleons or the nuclei as a whole are involved. In class (2) we find the much studied M4 transitions which give strong support for the single particle model; they have rather uniform matrix elements. Some finer points remain to be understood, especially why some odd nuclei do not show the expected ratio for |M|^2 of ~ 2:1. The transitions belonging to class (3) require further selection rules and …

Recent instrumental developments and theoretical speculation have indicated a need for more information concerning the excited electronic states of polyatomic molecules and ions in the elucidation of mass spectra. A theoretical description of these states is necessary for the proper interpretation of existing data and in laying a firm basis for the planning of future experiments. For the above reasons the energies of a number of the excited electronic states of methane have been calculated in a approximate fashion and the results applied to a discussion of the behavior of the methane ion.

There is at present a large collection of data giving the relative abundances of ions formed when molecules, especially hydrocarbons, are bombard with electrons and collected as positives ions in a mass spectrometer. This data per se gives us little insight into the kinetic processes occurring until it is combined with thermodynamic data and subject to a theoretical treatment based upon an assumed model for the kinetic processes taking place in the mass spectrometer. In accordance with our desire to learn more about these kinetic processes and in this way to shed some light on problems of molecular structure we have continued to explore the possible kinetic paths which propane ions take during their decomposition, with special reference to the effect of the substitution of deuterium for hydrogen.

The radioactive content of samples of rain, surface water, soil, plants, and material from the beds of surface waters (bottom silt) which were collected and analyzed during 1953 are given in this report. Samples were collected form the Laboratory site, at locations with 25 miles, and at places 100 miles from the Laboratory. Since Laboratory waste water is discharged into Sawmill Creek, water from the this stream was analyzed daily. Other samples were collected from the Laboratory site periodically, and collections from the off-site locations were made at approximately quarterly intervals. Most of the results were obtained by counting total alpha and beta activity; selected samples were analyzed for specific nuclides and elements. The total activity measurements provided a rapid means of determining general levels of radioactivity which could be compared between samples and indicated which samples should be analyzed in more detail. Radioactive contamination attributable to Laboratory operations was found only in water and bottom silt taken from Sawmill Creek below the outfall of Laboratory waste water (below site).

Concurrently with the production of canned uranium slugs for pile operation there arises the problem of nondestructive testing so that no slug which may fail structurally during operation be placed in the pile. The ultimate goal of any such testing program is to devise nondestructive testing methods which will eliminate defective slugs. A secondary goal of the testing program is to learn as much as possible about the construction of the canned slug so that the mechanisms of failure can be understood. Radiography, an increasingly useful nondestructive test method, offered one possible way of investigating this area.

The following quarterly report covers the period between April, May and June of 1954. The reports presented in this document discusses subjects of medical health and physics such as: biological studies of radiation effects, the metabolic properties of various tracer materials, radiation chemistry, health chemistry, and health physics.

The Bevatron requires an intense source of high energy protons. The machine should accept monoenergetic protons for a duration of approximately 500 microseconds once every 6 seconds. To satisfy the requirements of small loss due to scattering by the gas in the accelerating chamber, a 9.9-Mev linear accelerator has been built and operated.

The fluorometric method for determining microgram quantities of uranium dissolved in concentrated sulfuric acid was reinvestigated for the purpose of measuring any interference caused by plutonium in uranium samples. No plutonium fluorescence, and therefore no positive errors due to plutonium, were observed. Limited transmittance of hexavalent plutonium in sulfuric acid at 513, and especially at 360 millimicrons, produces variable negative errors in uranium determinations.

The quantitative estimation of submicrogram amounts of boron in zirconium hydride using a colorimetric procedure is described. Solution of the sample in sulfuric acid or hydrofluoric acid and subsequent distillation of methyl borate without boron loss or contamination is shown to be possible. Using the curcumin color reaction, quantities of boron as low as 0.01 microgram can be detected. The method should apply equally well to zirconium metal and compounds, providing they can be dissolved under conditions that do not result in loss of boron and if the resulting solution will permit the quantitative removal of boron by distillation as methyl borate.

"For a central station reactor power plant of the sodium-graphite type, two designs have been investigated. The first operates as a converter using slightly enriched uranium fuel and produces 150 electrical megawatts. The second operates as a thermal breeder using a U233-Th alloy fuel and produces 300 electrical megawatts. Consideration has also been given to the problem associated with the design and operation of the Sodium Reactor Experiment. All work related to the plutonium plus power sodium-graphite pilot plant, which was undertaken at an earlier date, has been completed."

This report summarizes the test work done to evaluate the column ion exchange process for extraction or uranium from Grants acid leach liquors.

A program of bench scale leaching and ion exchange testing for the recovery of uranium from liquors produced by leaching Utex ore (Monticello Stockpile 28) was conducted at Monticello, Utah from July 1953 to April 1954.

A series of pilot plant runs were made on the Jackpile ore, Jackpile mixed blend, Jackpile-Poison Valley blend, and Jackpile-Arrowhead blend.

Uranium extraction of 95% has been obtained from samples of Temple Mountain ore by a cyclic test procedure in which the new feed was not roasted. This procedure involved acid leaching the ore, flotation and roasting of the carbonaceous material, and acid leaching the roaster calcine.