Included in this semi-monthly report written in 1943 are progress with neutron beams, neutron absorption in enriched materials, equipment operation and maintenance reports of the cyclotron neutron source facility, and instrumentation maintenance activities of individuals in the cyclotron group. (GHT)

This report discusses effluent dilution of a retention basin at the Hanford Works in 1943. (JL)

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This report details Technical Division activities for the week ending May 29, 1943.

Metal Hydrides Incorporated was a pioneer in the production of uranium metal on a commercial scale and supplied it to all the laboratories interested in the original research, before other methods for its production were developed. Metal Hydrides Inc. supplied the major part of the metal for the construction of the first experimental pile which, on December 2, 1942, demonstrated the feasibility of the self-sustaining chain reaction and the release of atomic energy.

Data acquired from sampling the Columbia River water September 1, 1943, is presented. The waster was analyzed for turbidity, ph value, chemical composition, and suspended matter.

The critical mass of 94-239 and the corresponding critical dimensions of homogeneous mixtures of 94-239 with various moderating media been calculated as a function of the concentration of 94. A simple transformation makes the figures applicated to92-235. the results are in essential agreement with the preliminary estimated made independently by Oppenheimer and Serber. The problem of the stability of a chain reaction in solution and questions of protection are discussed.

The most important source of radioactivity at the exit manifold of the pile will be due to O19, formed by neutron absorption of O18. A recent measurement of Fermi and Weil permits to estimate that it will be safe to stay about 80 minutes daily close to the exit manifolds without any shield. Estimates are given for the radioactivities from other sources -- both in the neighborhood and farther away from the pile.

The following sources of contamination in cooling water of the P-9 plant are considered: (1) Fission recoils, (2) Corrosion of metal, (3) Recoil from aluminum, (4) Induced activity in the water. It is found that for a P-9 plant of 3.5 x 10(4) KW contamination of the river at "X" should not exceed the .1 r criterion unless coating failure occurs. Tables of the amount of coating failure permissible are given as a function of holdup time.

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The objective of this report is to investigate the feasibility of obtaining uranium from the carnotite sludge in such a form as o permit its use in the brown oxide purification process.

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From Introduction: "The purpose of this paper is to outline a suggested form of presentation of the results of a stability and control investigation in terms of flying qualities as defined in reference 1 and to systematize and review briefly the analytical work required for this type of presentation. No effort is made to specify definite test procedures."

"An investigation was made to determine a method of measuring fuel-air ratio that could be used for test purposes in flight and for checking conventional equipment in the laboratory. Two single-cylinder test engines equipped with typical commercial engine cylinders were used. The fuel-air ratio of the mixture delivered to the engines was determined by direct measurement of the quantity of air and of fuel supplied and also by analysis of the oxidized exhaust gas and of the normal exhaust gas" (p. 73).

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Report presenting two blending equations that have been derived from an analysis based on certain assumptions relative to the cause of fuel knock. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of developing a method of predicting the knock ratings of fuel blends.

"The usefulness of the knock ratings of pure hydrocarbon compounds would be increased if some reliable method of calculating the knock ratings of fuel blends was known. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of developing a method of predicting the knock ratings of fuel blends. Two blending equations have been derived from an analysis based on certain assumptions relative to the cause of fuel knock" (p. 1).