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ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
Standards Needed
Development of nuclear reactors is directly dependent on adequate analyt ical procedures, R. B. Briggs, ORNL stated. In this connection, standardized pro cedures and standard samples are essen tial, said C. R. Rodden, Atomic Energy Commission. Only in this way can various laboratories working on the analysis of uranium and its compounds, whether by chemical or spectrographic methods, have a frame of reference. The status of analytical progress on a wide variety of materials was covered by several speakers. Rodden, for example, reviewed the determination of uranium and its compounds; C. F. Coleman, ORNL, covered processing problems; and M. A. De Sesa, National Lead Co., described the determination of uranium in ores, leach solutions, and mill products. Thorium and Rare Earths. Work on thorium, which can be used in breeder reactors and as a source of fissionable materials, was reviewed by several speakers. Problems of proc essing and refining thorium and its compounds were outlined by J. W. Robinson, National Lead Co., while V. A. Fassell, Iowa State College, de scribed application of emission, absorp tion, optical, and x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy to the rare earth elements. A general analytical method for de tecting thorium in the presence of many other ions was presented by C. V. Banks, Iowa State College. He said that Arsenazo reagent, 2-(2-arsonophenylazo)-chromotropic acid, has been used to detect thorium in the presence of 39 other ions. Only Cr(III), Be(II), and U(VI)finterfere in the 100 p.p.m. level. Other ions are complexed with EDTA at pH 7.5 to 8.5. Banks also referred to the use of mesotartaric acid as a very effective masking agent for zirconium to pre vent its interference in thorium deter minations by spectrophotometric meth ods. Zirconium and Titanium. Materials of construction widely used in nuclear reactors include zirconium and tita nium. They have desirable properties such as corrosion resistance and neutron absorption. The current status of processing of these materials was described by William Few, Cramet, Inc., (titanium), and W. A. DuPraw, Columbia National Corp. (zirconium). As with uranium compounds, there is a need for standard samples for those working with titanium, said A. L. Gahler, Electro Metallurgical Co. In connection with zirconium, Ε. Β.
Read, Nuclear Metals, Inc., described the effects on nuclear properties of im purities in zirconium. Hafnium is one impurity which adversely affects the nuclear properties of zirconium. Beryllium, Heavy Water, Graphite. Good standard samples are needed, so that various laboratories doing spectrographic work on beryllium can have some basis of comparison, E. S. Melick, Brush Beryllium Corp., stated. Three methods are used in the ana lytical control of heavy water in reactor moderator systems, E. M. Zemyan, E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Inc., stated. These include mass spec trometer, pyenometer, and infrared. The need for standardized methods was raised by H. G. MacPherson, ORNL, with respect to reactor-grade graphite. Where cost is no object, the highest grade of graphite may be used. Today, however, private industry is using nu clear materials in a variety of ways. Many applications do not need the ex pensive impurity-free material. It is desirable, therefore, to develop stand ards for graphite for different applica tions. This in turn calls for analytical tests to see that the requisite purity has been attained.
Southwest Regional ACS Meeting The 13th Southwest Regional ACS Meeting at Tulsa, Okla. on Dec. 5 to 7 will feature 115 technical papers, in cluding 15 concerned primarily with analytical chemistry. Other sessions in the meeting will cover biochemistry, chemical engineering, organic chemistry, petroleum chemistry, physical and in organic chemistry, and science educa tion. In addition, three featured speakers will give addresses before the divisions of analytical, organic, and physical and inorganic chemistry. P. W. West will speak on air pollution and associated problems, M. S. Newman will cover optical activity due to intra molecular overcrowding, and Norman Hackerman will discuss modern cor rosion problems. Edward Teller, University of Cali fornia, will be the featured speaker at the banquet on Friday evening, his topic being "Nuclear Energy Sources of the Future." Also at the banquet, Guy Waddington, National Research Council, will be given the Southwest Regional Award. The Mayo Hotel, Tulsa, is head quarters for the meeting. J. V. Lawson is general chairman. The program of technical papers for the analytical chemistry sessions follows.
