Process research progress report, February 16--29, 1948

Treatment of Hot Liquid Waste: Three runs, D-73, D-74, and D-75, were made in the model clariflocculator during this period. In D-73 and D-74 a mixture of hydrolysis supernatant and water was used as the original solution and in D-75 a hydrolysis supernatant, bismuth free activity and water mixture was used as the starting solution. D-73 gave acceptable results, but D-74 and D-75 gave results that were not too satisfactory. It is believed that contamination in the laboratory has effected the results. Recovery of Bismuth: Experiments were resumed on the electrolytic extraction of bismuth from a hydrochloric acid solution of bismuth chloride. Plating at elevated temperature with the elimination of calcium chloride resulted in a lower average deposition rate of 2.07 g./amp.{minus}hr. than was obtained at room temperature in the presence of calcium chloride with a deposition rate of 2.30 g./amp.{minus}hr. Another comparison was made between cathodes prepared in a wood mold and a ``Herculite`` mold. Unlike the results obtained in run E-15 in which the cathode prepared in the ``Herculite`` mold gave a greater average deposition rate, the same deposition rate of 2.00 g/amp.{minus}hr. was obtained with both cathodes. The formation of crystals was more prevalent in the case of the cathode cast in the wood mold. In run E-24 a cathode with a rough surface-was prepared by lining the side of the mold with carborundum cloth. The deposit consisted of nodules over the entire surface and very little treeing at the edges. Treatment of Hot Solid Burnable Waste: The final enclosure of the incinerator with asbestos and transite is in progress. Preliminary consideration is being given to the steam expansion method of cleaning air as a means of removing the activity which would be carried over in the flu gases