the ANALYST'S column L.T.
All Exposed Parts of StcU+ilete,
WdcU TRIPLE-BEAM BALANCE provides rapid, accurate
REVENTING the discharge of highly
ground, water, and air as well as assur ing purity of radioactive products are two areas in modern nuclear technology which are challenging analytical chem ists. Some examples of the analytical techniques and instrumentation used in this work were described at the recent Second International Atoms for Peace Conference in Geneva. Procedures used at the Hanford Atomic Plant at Richland, Wash., are illustrative. This huge installation is operated for the Atomic Energy Com mission by the General Electric Co. In the production of plutonium at Richland, thousands of tons of pure uranium are irradiated, in nuclear re actors. Some of this uranium (U 235 ) splits into highly radioactive fission products and other (TJ23S) is converted to plutonium. In these operations it is essential that the plutonium produced be very pure and none of the very valuable material be lost. A few parts per million of uranium or fission products in the plu tonium λνοιιΗ make it unacceptable. On the other hand, even a few parts per million of plutonium in the leftover uranium would make it unfit for re-use in the atomic industry because the highly poisonous mixture of the plu tonium would require special handling procedures.
( 2 0 1 grams using auxiliary w e i g h t )
SENSITIVE TO 0.01 g. or less • High Stability •Good Sensitivity •Corrosion-Resistant •Long Service •Low Cost •Wide Range •Three Scales Easily Read at Eye-Level 4030. 4031. 4030C.
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-ESTABLISHED 1 8 8 Ο Ι 51 5 SEDGWICK STREELflDEPT. A - 1 , E C H I C A G O 1 0 , ILLINOIS, U.S.A. Manufacturers of Scientific Instruments and Laboratory Apparatus
fig.i
Prevent Accidents with Acid-Proof
STANDARD "SIPH-O-PUMP" Squeeze bulb to fill
fig. 2 Stop valve
Fig. 3
Following irradiation of the uranium, the fission products and plutonium must be separated from the leftover uranium. This is done by chemically dissolving the fuel elements. During the subsequent separation steps, large quantities of radioactive liquids are produced. The highly radioactive wastes go into underground storage tanks. The slightly radioactive wastes are discharged into pits on the desert land of the plant reservation or into the Columbia River. During this processing, waste gases containing radioisotopes are also pro duced. These must be checked before dispersing into the atmosphere. Various procedures and equipment
weighing
Capacity 1 1 1 grams
Hallett, Editor
Pradioactive waste materials into the
Steel
Turn upwards Wit, filing!
Quick Procedure . . . No Loss N O NEED TO LIFT OR TILT . . . Just squeeze bulb gently (Fig. 1) and liquid will flow quickly into receptacle. Whether bottle, drum, can or barrel, the container remains stationary throughout entire operation. To stop flow from the pump, press stop valve gently (Fig. 2). N O DRIPPING . . . Turning the delivery tube upward (Fig, 3) will force remnant to flow back into container. RETURNS EXCESS TO CONTAINER . . . By dipping delivery tube (Fig. 4) into discharged liquid—press ing bulb—and pushing valve button until only desired amount is left in the receptacle. UNAFFECTED By MOST SOLUTIONS, including: ALCOHOL DETERGENTS ESSENCES GASOLINE FORMALDEHYDE
LIQUID A M M O N I A FORMIC ACID LACTIC ACID MURATIC ACID SULFURIC ACID NITRIC ACID Siph-O-Punip, flow tube,
INKS TURPENTINE PETROLEUM TINCTURES OILS
Apparatus consists of: extension tube, discharge tube and acid-proof stopper. For use with solvents. plastic tubes may be replaced by glass tubes. Please specify size of stopper when ordering.
Fig. 4
Cat. N o . A-84542 "SIPH-O-PUMP" A—delivers approximately 1 Ά gallons per minute Each $1 5 . 50 Cat. N o . A-84543 "SIPH-O-PUMP" B—delivers approximately 3 gallons per minute Each $ 1 6 . 5 0 30 37 45 55 65
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EXTRA STOPPERS, A C I D - P R O O F χ 45 M M FOR · A 1 PUMP χ 52 M M FOR Ά ' O R Έ ' PUMPS χ 6 0 M M FOR Ά · OR 'B' PUMPS χ 70 M M FOR Ά ' OR 'B' PUMPS χ 80 M M FOR 'B' PUMP
STANDARD Supply Corp.
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For further information, circle number 67 A on Readers' Service Card, page 103 A
VOL. 30 NO. 11, NOVEMBER 1958 ·
67A
