The exchange of oxygen between uranyl ion and water was studied using oxygen 18 as a tracer. The results showed that the formula of uranyl ion in dilute hydrochloric acid solution is UO2++, neglecting any anion complexing, as distinguished from U(OH)4++, unless in U(OH)4++ two of the oxygen atoms are much more weakly bonded than the other two. The UO2++ ion is covalently bonded in dilute hydrochloric acid solution as well as in crystalline uranyl chloride. The Raman spectrum of uranyl perchlorate was measured and the available Raman spectra of uranyl salts are interpreted considering the effects of complex ion formation.

No abstract

No abstract

The desirable properties of pentaether as a solvent In a process for uralum extraction from an experimental dissolver solution have been illustrated.These include: (a) excellent uranium recovery, (b) fission product decontanination to a level of 1*57 above the natural uranium background by the use of a 16-stage center-fed batch countercurrent mixer-settler, a 1-stage batch strip-extraction, and ruthenium distillation, (c) good decontamination from ionic cerium, barium and lanthanum, (d) excellent stability when in contack with 2£ nitric acid and a high level of beta, gamma and alpha radiation.As a disadvantage of the process, ruthenium oust be eliminated in a sep arate step, either prior to or after any continuous uranium extraction process. The behavior of zirconium is still open to question since ionic slrconlum proved to be extractable but zirconium present in solution was not.The presence of tvo types of ruthenium species in a column product stream v&s shovn. Distribution coefficients (organic phase concentration divided by aqueous phase concentration) of 6 and 0.1 were tentatively as signed to these tvo species. . Steady-state uranium and nitric ad d equilibrium curves have been obtained for various possible flow patterns in countercurrent center-fed columns.-3- PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF PENTAETHERCoamercial pentaether was obtained from Carbon and Carbide Chemical Company as a lig h t yellow-brown, viscous, high-boiling liq u id which de composes when heated a t atmospherlo pressure* I t has a pu rity o f abcut 80-90 percent, the main Impurities being monobutoxytetraethyleneglycol and tetraethyleneglycol* I t Is thought to be produced as a by-product of the carbitols and cellosolves*

This report was prepared as an account of Government sponsored work. Neither the United Slates, nor the Commission, nor any person acting on behalf of the Commission: A. Makes any warranty or representotion, express or implied, with respect to the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information contained in this report, or that the use of any Information, apparatus, method, or process disclosed in this report may not infringe privately owned rights} or B. Assumes any liabilities with respect to the use of, or for damages resulting from tfw use of any infonnation, apparatus, method, or process disclosed in this report. As used in the above, "person acting on behalf of the Commission" includes any employee or contractor of the Commission to the extent that such employee or contractor prepares, handles or distributes, or provides access to, any information pursuant to his employment or contract with the Commission.