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Title: SUMMARY TECHNICAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 1959 TO MARCH 31, 1959

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4056773

It was found that Vitro concentrates can be processed in normal Refinery feed blends when a "hot concentrated" digestion procedure is utilized. Revised impurity tolerance limits for FMPC feed materials were prepared. Using nitrate salts plus a minimum of nitric acid in the aqueous phase during laboratory equilibrium tests resulted in a greater percentage of uranium being found ln the TBP-kerosene extractant than when comparable quantities of nitric acid alone were used. The amount of dissolved sodium nitrate transferred from the aqueous phase to the onganic phase during these tests was found to be directly related to the amount of TBP--H/sub 2/0 complex in the organic phase. A density-measurement system in a refinery extraction column detected changes ln the uranium profile much more quickly than instruments then in use. Weekly samples of solvent from the refinery were examined to determine the current solvent conditlon. Coalescence time measurements, solvent re-extractability, and infrared spectral analysis were found to be valid indicators of this condition. Batch shakeouts of baunxite-treated solvent quickly nullified the benefits of the baunxite treatment. It was postalated that contact of the solvent with water may cause formation of the TBP--H/sub 2/0 complex, increasing solvent coalescence time. A method of controlling the residual volatiles content in the plant denitration cycle was expected to improve the uniformity of the product orange oxide. A method was developed to measure the surface area of U0/sub 2/ samples without exposing them to air. Sodium decontamination of uranyl nitrate solution was effected by use of the ADU process. The structure and mode of thermal decontamination of compounds formed ln the ADU process are postalated. An amine extraction flowsheet for purification of MgF/sub 2/-type scrap sufficiently for preclpitation of metal grade UF/sub 4/ was developed. Small-scale bomb reduction equipment was used in investigating the reduction-to-metal step. Magnesium excess had the greatest effect on the crude yield. Factcrs representing the uranium content of three grades of uranium derbies were obtained. The derby grades were established on the basis of the amount of exterior slag on each derby. Melting the charge by use of the plant cycle and castlng into a heated mold resulted in the following: increase in the slug-to-good-slug yield, reduction of carbon and nitrogen levels, and increase in the process yield. Uraniuun ingots having 81/2- and 131/2-inch diameters were formed by arc-melting electrodes fabricated from smaller diameter ingots. In a metallographic investigation of beta heat treated uranium metal, the way the metal deforms and the effect of deformation on the physical properties of the metal were studied. Cutting shear strength, coefficient of friction, and shear angle were determined by determining tool forces by use of a dynamometer, Metal grade UF/sub 4/ was produced on pilot plant scale by precipitation of a black oxide leach liquor with 52% HF, S0/sub 2/ reducing agent, and a copper salt catalyst. Hydrated UF/sub 4/ was simultaneously dehydrated and blended with UF/sub 6/- source UF/sub 4/. This blended salt gave high metal yields. Mixtures of 20% HF and 80% H/sub 2/0 were vaporized, the HF was adsorbed on NaF, and anhydrous HF was desorbed from the NaHF/sub 2/. A rapid method for the x-ray spectrometric determination of 0.1 to 2% thorium in uraniuun concentrates was adopted. Cerlum in ura nium products may be determined by the same spectrographic procedures used for the other rare earths. A greater than 95% recovery of platinum was obtained from a Pt-- U -- graphite residue. (auth)

Research Organization:
National Lead Co. of Ohio. Cincinnati
DOE Contract Number:
AT(30-1)-1156
NSA Number:
NSA-15-023569
OSTI ID:
4056773
Report Number(s):
NLCO-785(Del.)
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Decl. with deletions Apr. 20, 1960. Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-61
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English