This report discusses a study which explores the effects of feed and acidity on extractive methods. From abstract: "Results from fractional precipitation of MgX from dilute sulfuric acid solutions indicate that, in the presence of sufficienct iron, phosphate is precipitated as ferric phosphate, and not as uranyl phosphate."

From abstract: "Results are presented of Scheibel column extraction tests with neutral ether on a variety of combinations of feed solutions...The effect of added iron was evaluated for a considerable number of process solutions and slurries. Arsenic was traced through both primary and secondary extraction stages in one test."

From abstract: "Results are presented which suggest the possibility of satisfactorily extracting uranium from pitchblende feeds with neutral ether, without the necessity of removing sulfate, by the addition of a sufficient quantity of iron to the feed." Other factors' effects on extraction were tested and arsenic was traced throughout extraction.

Abstract: "Dissolution of carnotite in several readily liquefiable gases, including ammonia, sulfur dioxide, chlorine, and nitrogen dioxide, was found to be negligible, even in the presence of uranium complexing agents. No low-boiling liquids have been found which will dissolve carnotite directly. Treatment with various sulfur chloride will convert carnotite to a form soluble in water or in certain organic solvents. Also, carnotite can be readily dissolved in HCl-acidified ethanol, methanol, or acetone. Amenability tests on nine western ores with HCl-methanol solvent indicated that uranium extractions greater than 90 per cent could be obtained if sufficient acid was used to insure some free acidity in the pregnant liquor. Temple Mountain and Sinbad-Muddy River ores were exceptions to this, uranium extractions being only about 50-60 per cent. Vanadium extractions were invariably lower than uranium extractions. Chemical analyses are presented for nine western ores."

Abstract: "X-ray and microscopic examination of slags from uranium metal production bombs which gave good and bad yields in the plant at St. Louis have indicated the significance of uranium oxide formation. Apparently the oxide (UO2) results from reaction of the UF4 with linear material, particularly with moisture in the liner."

A report which contains a summary of the research during the period September 1, 1951, to January 31, 1952, on the utilization of electrical measurements to detect chemical and physical differences in various samples of UF4.

Abstract: "A quantitative method for the determination of individual rare earths in thorium down to a level of 0.05 ppm, is described. The procedure consists of a chromatographic cellulose-columns separation followed by a solution-type spectrographic determination. Values are given for the recovery of a number of rare earths using this combined procedure."

Report discussing laboratory investigations of thorium nitrate purification. Batch equilibrium data, solubility data, viscosity data, density data, and the results seven batch countercurrent extraction tests and two selective stripping tests are included.

From introduction: This is Progress report BMI-282, the first of a series covering the operation of the pressure-leaching towers for the extraction of uranium by an ammonium carbonate leach...This report discusses the data obtained from tests run to show the effects of such variables as the amount of air and carbon dioxide passed through the pulp, temperature, pressure, and concentration of ammonium carbonate and ammonium bicarbonate in the leach solution on the extraction of uranium.

From introduction: "This is the ninth monthly report, BMI-514, under Contract No. AT(30-1)-771 on "Zirconium Research and Development". The report covers the work period from September 15, 1950, to October 15, 1950. Work is continuing on the preparation of large-diameter zirconium crystal bars in the 16-inch-diameter de Boer unit. Crystal bars up to 1-5/16 inches in diameter and 8 feet long have been prepared in this unit."

This report discusses the production of large-diameter zirconium crystal bars in a 16 inch diameter, Hastelloy B, de Boer unit in order to increase production efficiency.

The following progress report was compiled by the research and development division of the zirconium pilot plant. This report discusses two iodination and deposition runs that were completed as of August 20, 1951, as well as the third iodination run that uses a vaporizer condenser that condenses approximately 40 pounds of zirconium iodide.

The following report studies the effect of flow rates and deposition pressure on the zirconium deposition in the zirconium pilot plant with the use of a Hilco oil purifier for the vacuum pumps that permitted studies to continue through the month.

Abstract: "Rare-earth analyses were performed on several samples of refined uranium oxide and nitrate, using a modified cellulose column procedure. Rare earths were not detectable in samples of 0.03 shotgun of less. Detection limits were from 0.0005 to 0.015 ppm. Negligible quantities of low-cross-section rare earths were found in less pure uranium samples, obtained during start-up operations of the pilot plant at the Feed Materials Production Center, primarily those rare earths of greater than average abundance in nature. No correlation was found between rare-earth content and shotgun values. Rare earths do not appear to be contributing significantly to the neutron absorption of refined uranium. A modified cellulose column procedure, which includes a preconcentration solvent-extraction step, is described. Radioactive tracer tests indicating rare-earth recoveries by the method of >98 per cent are reported."

From summary: "This report covers an experimental investigation into the fabrication of various potential fuel-element materials and the testing of these materials for compatibility with structural metals at 1090 C (2000 F)."

Report discussing the rolling of thorium rods. Abstract: "Thorium rods, 1-7/16 inch in diameter, were rolled from Ames castings. The billets were roughed down in diamond-grooved rolls and finished in hand-rounding rolls. Remelted chips as well as primary-metal castings were rolled, and both yielded satisfactory rods. The surface quality of the rods was generally excellent, and the machined slugs were free of seams."

Report discussing studies testing various thorium alloys consisting of either Ames thorium and up to 5% of various additions or Ames thorium and up to 50% uranium. Effects of molybdenum additions for fusion welding, and cold-work strengthening were also tested. Methods, experimental data, and discussion is included.

This report follows an investigation made on the welding of Ames thorium by the inert-gas-shielded tungsten-arc process as the first part of a program on the joining of thorium. This program is part of a broader research program to develop the technology of thorium.

This progress report of the Battelle Memorial Institute covers information in many categories. These include development of ceramic fuel elements, general ceramics, uranium and its alloys, thorium and its alloys, development of metallic fuel elements and assemblies, metals and alloys for reactor components, miscellaneous metallurgical work, liquid coolants and fuels, reactor engineering studies, and mechanism development.

The following report describes work that was udertaken to determine whether a homogeneous breeder reactor using an alkili metal hydroxide solution is capable of breeding.

Abstract: Information on five uranium binary alloy systems has been surveyed. These systems are the alloys of uranium with zirconium, chromium, columbium, vanadium, and molybdenum. The equilibrium diagrams are discussed, and where available, data have been included on diffusion studies, cladding experiments, and mechanical properties.

Abstract: "The possibility of fabricating a lightweight control rod from one of several high cross-section materials was investigated. The major effort was directed toward the development of a titanium-clad rod containing a composite core of 25 weight per cent Gd2O3 in a matrix of titanium. Experimentation on both subscale and full-scale control-rod cores showed that the fabricating behavior of the two was not analogous. To roll the full-scale core successfully, it was necessary to lower the oxide content to 17 weight per cent. Subscale investigations were also carried out on titanium-cadmium, titanium-lanthanum, and titanium-gadolinium alloys."

From introduction: This report presents the results of the two phases of the work: study of the compatibility of beryllia bodies with a coating material, molybdenum; and studies of beryllia-beryllium body fabrication.

From introduction: Silicon carbide is being considered as a basis material for nonmetallic fuel elements because of its high thermal conductivity, low nuclear cross section, high resistance to thermal rupture, and high degree of stability at high temperature in air. A requirement of the fuel elements is that they be thin and have as low porosity as possible. One shape of element under consideration is 0.050 to 0.070 inch thick by a few inches in width and breadth.