The installation of crossheader pressure gauges on the reactors has shown that excessive pressure drops occur across some crossheader screen assemblies, and that the pressure drop across the four inch assemblies in the B, D, and F Reactors is significantly greater than the six inch assemblies at the DR and H Reactors. Since the inlet water system pressure is limited to the 4.5 psi discharge pressure of the secondary pumps, the reduction of pressure resistance downstream of that point would result in higher reactor flow rates and increased boiling limits. This test described in this report was initiated to determine if four inch crossheader screens having equal and 50% greater free-area than DR -- H screens would significantly reduce the crossheader screen pressure drops at the B, D, and F Reactors, and to obtain information regarding cone screen plugging rates with larger size screen openings.

About twenty-five to thirty per cent of the uranium slugs canned in the Metal Preparation Section do not meet specifications and are rejected. These rejected slugs are recovered by a chemical process and prepared for re-canning. The canning operation provides a coating of metal composed principally of elemental aluminum and silicon with traces of copper and tin, which bonds the aluminum can to the slug. The elements in intimate contact with the slug combine chemically with the uranium to form the tenacious compound layer. The current recovery process consists essentially of a sodium hydroxide-sodium nitrate bath for chemically removing the aluminum can and the bonding medium, followed by hydrofluoric acid and nitric acid baths to remove the remaining compound layer and to pickle the slugs before they are returned to the process canning line. Recent studies have indicated the possibility of using a more economical means of recovery. This includes the mechanical removal of the aluminum can and most of the bonding medium, followed by a chemical removal of the residual compound layer by a solution of sodium hydroxide. A laboratory scale investigation was made to determine whether a solution of sodium hydroxide would remove the compound layer from de-canned, …

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The geology of the Hanford-White Bluffs area was studied preliminary to drilling well(s) and developing an underground water supply. A study of the geology of the Hanford-White Bluffs area has shown that it consists of terrace deposits of sand and gravel covering a consolidated sandstone known as the Ringold formation. Beneath the Ringold are successive layers of basalt interbedded with volcanic ash, sand and other materials. In the past the Columbia River has cut channels through the area which extended downward into the Ringold formation. The old channels have been filled and upgraded to the present land surface in repeated flooding of the river over a long period of time. An aquifer used needed to be capable of supplying more than 34 million gallons of water per day.