A high-vacuum casting furnace with an internal diameter of 15 inches has been designed, fabricated, and installed at LASL. The furnace was designed to accommodate casting crucibles up to 7 inches OD; however with a larger diameter heating element, casting crucibles up to 9 inches could be accommodated. This report describes the basic features of the furnace and presents engineering drawings of both the furnace and the furnace box.

The report is the third in a series of interim reports on the climatological studies which are being conducted at the Argonne National Laboratory. First report appeared as document ANL-4538 and covered the period July, 1949 through June, 1950; the second report, ANL-4793, covered the period July, 1950 through June, 1951. These annual reports are offered for purposes of information only; broad conclusions regarding the climate of this site must await the accumulation of a statistically significant amount of data.

Abstract: "The NYX testing of the component disassembly equipment comprised repeated operation of both the quatrefoil disassembly machine and the foil press and shear to evaluate the suitability of these machines to perform their design function with reliability and convenience of operation. During testing, both design and operational deficiencies were found and corrected in the NYX equipment. In general, both machines operated satisfactorily after modification."

The excitation function for the reaction T3 (p, y) He4 has been extended to proton energies of 7.3 Mev. No experimental evidence is found for a resonance in the reaction up to this energy of bombarding protons.

Summary: A method was found for determining calcium concentrations in TBP process streams in spite of serious interferences bysodium, ferrous, uranyl, sulfate, phosphate, and sulfamate ions as well as by TBP. The precision attainable varied from sample to sample, depending upon its composition. In general, errors of 20% or greater occurred. The smallest determinable amount of calcium was about 10 mg/1.

Abstract: "The valve-actuated pulse column is employed to give phase separation on each half cycle in the countercurrent flow cycle and provides independent control over each step in the cycle. The dependence on temperature of operation, on pulse frequency and amplitude, and on plate design and spacing has been studied for extraction and stripping of uranium with tributyl phosphate in a hydrocarbon diluent. It is found that the efficiency increases quite significantly as the temperature is raised regardless of the direction of transfer and this increased efficiency is accompanied by greater operational freedom. A decrease in hole size, decrease in plate separation and increase in frequency all lead to higher efficiency in agreement with the concept that small drops continually formed coalesced and reformed, lead to maximum interphase transfer. The high extraction efficiency of the column is probably aided further by the relatively sharp pulse produced."

The Technical Data Book compiles useful chemical and physical data of feed materials, chemicals, uranium intermediates and end products of the FMPC, Fernald, Ohio. The data presented encompass the process operations involved in the original integrated FMPC project, the uranium hexafluoride reduction plant and the throium plant.

Radiation damage to graphite has several consequences of practical importance. The growth of graphite under radiation (Wigner's disease) in production reactors has always been a serious concern. The thermal conductivity of graphite decreases greatly with time of irradiation and is important in long range studies of reactor temperature problems.

Abstract:"A method is described for the electroreduction of plutonium to the +3 valence state in a nitric acid-sulfamic acid solution. Exploratory experiments in the search for a coulometric titration of Pu(III) using electrolytically generated ceric ion are also described. The results strongly indicate that a convenient procedure can be devised. Suggestions for future work are presented."

The following report analyzes random walks and whether or not they can be used to shed any light on problems of neutron diffusion.

From introduction: "The work described in this report was carried out as part of the feasibility study (ORNL-117) of a supercritical water reactor (SCWR) for use in nuclear propulsion of aircraft. The object of this work was to study the dynamic behavior of a particular design of supercritical water reactor. Numerical results are presented in Appendix I."

Purpose: "The Hanford Works Analytical Manual for Process Water is designed to specify the analytical methods to be applied for control purposes in the Reactor Section, Process Sub-Section laboratories. The procedures are in general form and serve as references rather than outlined laboratory instructions. The manual us designed to replace the "Hanford Works Manual," HW-12862."

Summary: "The low carbon 18-8 stainless steels containing approximately 1.7 per cent boron used for vertical safety rods at Hanford were found to be structurally stable in the temperature range 0-450 C. The addition of boron decreases the stability of this metastable austenitic alloy. Sufficient ferrite formation is induced by sub-zero temperature treatments to result in dimensional changes and a magnetic alloy. The difficulties encountered in machining this material are believed to be due primarily to segregation in the castings resulting in small areas of the hard intermetallic compound, FeB."

Report discussing an experiment testing the severity of attack of an aluminum slug jacket containing one or more spots hotter than the rest of the jacket. These conditions match those likely to exist in a poorly bonded slug.

This report discusses the production of plutonium metal through the reduction of plutonium tetra fluoride with calcium metal and sulfur. It elaborates that iodine, which was originally used instead of calcium metal, presented several practical problems, but reductions completed with calcium were unsatisfactory.

This memorandum clarifies the present status of ξ measurements in the uranium-water lattices.

Abstract: "UO2 and ThO2 form a continuous series of solid solutions with the solidus-liquidus from 2875 C for UO2 to above 3200 C for ThO2."

The following report describes a beta and gamma scintillation detector similar to what was used in previous decay studies, yet was modified to make it suitable for the analysis of mixtures of radio-nuclides.

This report presents the final results from the investigation of the ratio of Pu-239 fission cross section to U-235 fission cross section. Three sets of plutonium and uranium foils were prepared at KAPL and were investigated to acquire the final results.

This report describes the progress on the experimental breeder reactor. It focuses on the approach to critical experiments, calibration of controls and flues and flux distributions.

Report describing the research and development activities related to nuclear chemistry and radiochemistry and basic chemistry conducted by the Argonne National Laboratory Chemistry Division, Section C-1.

From abstract: "The reactivity effects of one and of two highly enriched fuel rods placed into a natural uranium lattice thermal pile are investigated according to the small source model."

Report discussing studies on various types of protective coatings for a molybdenum sheet. Procedures, materials, and results of each coating are included.

Abstract: "Some embrittling effects noted in Zr have been explained by the presence of hydrogen. This phenomenon was initially correlated with the existence of a second phase in the microstructure. The amount of this phase is reduced by vacuum annealing and shows a direct correlation with the hydrogen content of the specimen. X-ray and electron-diffraction evidence identifies the phase as ZrH. Observations are given on the solubilities, diffusion rates and equilibrium pressures of hydrogen in zirconium, and the application of these data to the removal of hydrogen."