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The single-operation alpha counter, designed primarily for counting low-level alpha samples prepared by plating activity onto metal cylinders, was evaluated as a possible replacement for the parallel-plate counters now used to count activity plated on disks. Each cylinder is closed at one end, so that all activity plated on it is on an outside surface which faces the sensitive volume of the chamber, and the total activity of the plate can be determined by a single count. Each side of the disk must be counted separately in the parallel-plate counter, and the edge may be counted twice. Results from about 300 cylinders and 300 disks ranging in activity from 0 to 80 counts per minute were compared. The single-operation counter was found to be capable of giving results at least as good as those obtained with the parallel-plate counter and in half the counting time. The following changes were suggested in the final model of the instrument: (1) redesign of the chamber for more effective decontamination, (2) design of a tool to be used for inserting and removing cylinders, (3) addition of a pressure gauge to the chamber, and (4) an improvement in the method of sealing the chamber to …

This document provides the process specifications for the Triple Dip Process for Alpha Fabricated Uranium for production canning of uranium cores.

The objective of this report is to review the performance of the Redox air-filtration facilities and to present recommendations, resulting from this survey, which could improve the ventilation systems of future Separations Plants. 4 refs., 3 figs., 2 tabs.

A high-density concrete shield is proposed for the biological shield. Adequate shielding of personnel and equipment can be obtained for about two-fifths the cost of a laminated shield of steel and masonite. The proposed shield is expected to behave satisfactorily during the life of the Reactor Unit and, in addition, the shield will possess considerable resistance to earthquake and blast loads. Details of design specification are given.

Studies of carbon dioxide fixation in green plants using the C{sup 14} isotope have shown that in very short times phosphoglyceric acid contains most of the radioactivity. The tracer is present almost entirely in the carboxyl group. The importance of organic phosphates in the subsequent metabolism of phosphoglyceric acid can be seen from the accompanying photographs.

This report discusses seven items related to the design of the 100-K water plant facilities. These items include: the number of process water connections to the reactor building, valving at the control building, and number of main pumping units; effect on heating system of the Hanford power outage during the winter period; reactor supply conditions; power requirements and steam flow at the local power plant; the service water system; general arrangement of the heat exchanger building; and pumping station control.

Since 1945 the routine production of plutonium (``A`` buttons) at Atomic Energy plants has been accomplished by heating mixtures of plutonium tetrafluoride, calcium and iodine in crucible-bomb assemblies. Yields above 97% and metal of adequate purity are consistently obtained by this process. Plutonium (``X`` button) production has also been carried out routinely by including plutonium turnings with the powder mixture given above. A majority (several thousand) of buttons produced in the 234-5 Building have been ``X`` buttons made by recycling up to 1.1 units of turnings/unit of plutonium in the plutonium tetrafluoride. Operating hazards exist in either process, however, and these are reviewed below.