Weight increases during the oxidation of irradiated foils of pure copper were greater than for unirraaiated specimens. Enhanced reactivity appeared to be strongest in the thin-film region up to about 5 mu g/cm/sub 2/. Oxide film (Cu/ sub 2/O) thickness for both irradiated and unirradiated specimens was approximately 1200 A. Radiation did not affect the reduction of Cu/sub 2/O during the induction period (period in which the reduction proceeds very slowly or not at all). In later stages of the reduction process, a serious lack of reproducibility was observed. Radiation effects on films of Cu/sub 2/O formed by prior oxidation of the copper substrate decreased the kinetics of secondary oxidation. The secondary oxidation curve exhibited a large gap at the point of interrnption for irradiation. The development of an automatic recording microbalance of high sensitivity and a furnace for studies in reactor radiation fields is reported. Measurements were made of the electrode potentials of irradiated (5.5 x 10/sup 19/ neutrons cm/sup -2/) copper, aluminum, magnesium, and zirconium. Cell potentials were found to be dominated by the oxide films formed on the electrode surfaces. The results indicate that radiation does affect the local anode reaction potential. No significant difference between the …

Early work on the antiproton, particularly that part which led to the first paper on the subject, is described. Conclusions that can be drawn purely from the existence of the antiproton are discussed. (W.D.M.)

The general prospects of several radioisotopes are reviewed; the special properties of U/sup 232/ and Th/sup 228/ are poi nted out; and ionium (Th/sup 230/ ) and protactinium target materials are discussed from the sthndpoint of availability and chemical separations processes required for the preparation of U/ sup 232/ and Th/sup 228/. Outlines are given for potential schem es for the separation of U/sup 232/ and Th/sup 228/ from uranium milling pr ocess waste streams and from the irradiation products of Th/sup 230/--Th/sup 232/ mixtures. The high heat generating rates of these potent alpha emitters make them especially suitable for primary consideration as heat sources for small thermoelectric generators. The exceptionally high alpha activity suggests their use in special neutron sources as Ra-Be sources, and they may have sufficiently high neutron generating rates to be in contention with some of the smaller research reactors and experimental neutron producers. (B.O.G.)

Two designs of sodium cold traps for the HNPF have been subjected to full scale tests, Performance features that were investigated include oxide removal efficiency, oxide capacity, pressure drop characteristics, economizer effectiveness, and temperature profiles, Results indicate that both designs should perform satisfactorily in the Hallam plant, (auth)

This is the monthly report for the Hanford Laboratories Operation, November 1959. Metallurgy, reactor fuels, chemistry, dosimetry, separation processes, reactor technology, financial activities, visits, biology operation, physics and instrumentation research, and employee relations are discussed.

The expected maximum contamination of the HNPF cold traps and primary sodium pumps was determined along with the maximum dose rates from these components during removal and shipping. Suitable shielding for casks to be used in the removal operation and for shipping these components away from the reactor site is specified. Access to an unshielded cold trap is limited by high dose rates, i.e., 100 mr/hr at 120 ft, after 180 days decay time. A handling cask providing a radial shield of 3 in. of lead will provide adequate personnel protection for the removal operation, if 180 days decay time is allowed before the trap is removed. An additional 2.4 in. of lead is required for offsite shipment of the cask. This additional shielding can be added after the trap is removed from the reactor building. Dose rates from the cold trap after the shield plug is removed from the access hole are shown. If direct line-ofsight exposure is avoided, dose rates to personnel will be below 100 mr/hr at any position, and below 10 mr/hr at distances greater than 20 ft from the access hole. Dose rates from the cask during its travel away from the hole, will be …

Revised HRT flowsheets are presented. These revisions cover such items as relocation of freezer units on the lines, corrections to the numbering of lines, valves or instruments, and the addition of a few lines in the service areas. The waste and vent system flowsheet was redrawn as two sheets. (C.J.G.)