Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

APPLICATIONS OF ULTRASONIC ENERGY. TASK 1: ULTRASONIC CHEMICAL PROCESSING. TASK 2: ULTRASONIC METAL AND CERAMIC POWDER PROCESSING. TASK 3: ULTRASONIC INSTRUMENTATION. Progress Report No. 24, October 1, 1960 to November 31, 1960

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4039544
Ultrasonic pyrometallurgical dissolution of uranium metal by molten zinc resulted in increased rate and complete solution of uranium in contrast to only 14% without ultrasonlc activation. An alumina mixture containing 12.6% moisture was extrudable with ultrasonic die activation. This is a substantial reduction of moisture content over the driest material previously extruded, at comparable pressures and rates, without ultrasonics. Magnesium oxide formulations with various moisture contents were extruded, and ultrasonic activation produced the expected increase in rate, decrease in pressure, and improved surface finish. Ultrasonic vibratory filling of thin-walled tubes with ceramic-grade U0/sub 2/, low-fired thoria, and arc-fused optimum-sized U0/sub 2/ resulted in compact densities comparable to those obtained by 55-ton compression methods. It was demonstrated that by the acoustic-impedance-ratio technique it is possible to detect changes in aqueous slurry concentration and to discriminate between 3- mu and nominal 40- mu particles. Studies are in process to improve sensitivity and discrimination so the concept can be applied to gaseous suspensoids. The determination of the incidence of boiling in pressurized water by cavitation threshold variation appears possible. Adequate sensitivity should be obtainable with minor changes in existing systems. (auth)
Research Organization:
Aeroprojects, Inc., West Chester, Penna.
NSA Number:
NSA-15-023570
OSTI ID:
4039544
Report Number(s):
NYO-2580
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English