Analytical methods are given for determining the composition and impurities of beryllium carbide. A summary of the experimental work leading to these procedures and supporting data are also presented. Analytical procedures for the determination of free and combined carbon, moisture, nitrogen, beryllium oxide, silica, iron, total beryllium, and beryllium metal are outlined. Diagrams of special apparatus used are included. (auth)

The dark fixation of carbon dioxide by green algae has been investigated and found to be closely related to photosynthesis fixation. By illumination in the absence of carbon dioxide followed by treatment with radioactive carbon dioxide in the dark, the amount fixed has been increased ten to twenty fold. This rate of maximum fixation approaches photosynthesis maximum rates. The majority of the radioactive products formed under these conditions have been identified and isolated and the distribution of labeled carbon determined. From these results a tentative scheme for the mechanism of photosynthesis is set forth.

This monthly progress report covers the following programs: (1) 184-inch Cyclotron; (2) 60-inch Cyclotron; (3) Synchrotron; (4) Linear Accelerator; (5) Experimental Physics; (6) Theoretical Physics; (7) Chemistry; (8) Medical Physics; and (9) Health Physics and Chemistry.

Quantities of the order of ten million to 100 million radioactive particles per month were emitted from the stacks over a period of several months. High activity in the range 0.1 to 3..mu..c was probably confined to large carrier particles of corrosion debris from iron ductwork in the separations plant ventilation air system. This report discusses chemical, physical and radiochemical properties of the particles, and possible biological and health effects of exposure to them. (ACR)

This report summarizes the contamination observed at the Hanford Works and vicinity for the period October, November, and December, 1947. Trend charts showing trend of contamination for the various sampling locations are only included where a true trend can be established for the three month period; a thorough analysis of all trends will be considered in detail in the annual report from this section. The report is divided into the following topic sections: Meteorological -- dissolving data; beta contamination in the air and the radiation levels in air; alpha and beta contamination in the Columbia River; beta contamination in the rain and snow; alpha and beta contamination in drinking water; beta contamination on vegetation; and alpha and beta contamination in Hanford Wastes. An appraisal and review of all the results is considered in detail for each section. Statistical analysis is used whenever possible to determine significant values and differences in levels of contamination measured.

This report summarizes the radioactive contamination measured at the Hanford Works and vicinity for the quarter July, August, and September 1948. Topics discussed are: meteorology; airborne contamination and contamination of the Columbia River; vegetation; drinking water; and in Hanford Wastes.

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Records show that difficulty has been encountered with the discharge of two tubes in B Pile, twelve in the D Pile, and fifteen in the F Pile during the period from initial start-up until March 15, 1948. In sixteen cases the tubes have been replaced, six of the tubes which were in the fringe have been made air tubes, four did not warrant replacement, and three are to be replaced in the future. General statistics for these twenty-nine tubes are presented with additional details in this report.

This document details the activities of the Hanford 100 Area for the month of February 1945.

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Activities for the month of February are as follows: (1) calculations of reactivity and temperature limits; (2) calculations of operating levels of D pile if reduced in size; (3) symposium on power coefficients; (4) test of new vertical (safety) rods; (4) metal quality studies; (5) status of process tube ionization chamber failures; (6) reactivity balance of each of operating piles; (7) graphite testing; (8) water activity calculations; (9) pile shielding; (10) radioactivity of titanium; and (11) critical mass experiments.

This report contains data acquired during sampling of the Columbia River water on March 26, 1945. Topics of discussion include; the elevation of chlorine levels from 4 ppm to 20 ppm, what steps should be taken to remediate the problem, and the various processes that were taken into consideration for the clean up of this chlorine. Separation processes considered include; ion exchange, distillation, precipitation, heat exchange, and recirculation through a cooling tower.

This document details 100 Areas technical activities in reactor physics research and operation for the month of February 1947.

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This report details events of importance reported by the Hanford Operations Office for the week ending March 2, 1949.

By the time regular crude biscuit production was interrupted at Ames on November 9, 1944, we had made well over 100 special experimental castings by pouring the liquid metal directly from the bomb. The workmen on the regular crude production line were alternating these special castings with the regular runs without the assistance of the research group. The process had reached a state of development 'wherein the castings were made by pouring batches of about 135 pounds of liquid metal directly from the bomb into a water-cooled steel mold in the presence of air at atmospheric pressure. The pouring operation was effected through a mechanically operated valve in the bottom of the bomb. The workability of such a process has been well established, and the quality of the metal has been proved through candling and chemical tests. The first sixty billets produced by this method have been extruded successfully. A number of changes, designed to improve the quality and yield of the product and to simplify the process, have been made since producing the metal for these tests. The first set-up to test the possibility of pouring the metal directly from the bomb was made on a small scale here …

It was desired to establish the adaptability of iron box sludge, a residue recovered in the initial concentration of domestic ores, as a raw material from the production of high purity U{sub 3}O{sub 8}. This report summarizes the experimental work on the extraction of uranium from iron box sludge and that on the removal of V{sub 2}O{sub 5} and P{sub 2}O{sub 5} from the solutions.

It was desired to determine the distribution of boron in the various steps of the processing of domestic ore concentrates containing high percentages of boron. The experiments described in this report were directed toward that end. Summary of this report are: (1) a black oxide containing 0.6 ppm of boron was prepared from material containing 350 ppm; (2) less than 0.02% of the boron in the original material appeared in the black oxide; (3) the iron step did not remove appreciable amounts of boron; (4) the bulk of the extracted boron was removed in the soda salt precipitation; and (5) some of the boron was removed in the acid leach and calcination steps.

Many questions have been raised concerning the advisability of continuing the presently scheduled Redox design and construction program in performance to other uranium recovery processes. In order to answer these questions properly, an extensive re-examination of the Redox process objectives and status and a careful study of other possible alternative uranium recovery processes have been carried out by the Hanford Works. This survey has included consideration of both existing process and facilities for plutonium separations, the Redox process, the Carbide and Carbon Uranyl Ammonium Phosphate process, uranium solvent extraction alone, and various combinations and couplings of parts or entities of the above. Comparative evaluation has been based on the relative assurance of obtaining both plutonium and uranium production; recovery of both ``aged`` and ``current`` metal wastes; timing for developing, design, and construction; economics of capital investment and operating costs; and process complexity, adaptability, and safety. This survey has resulted in conclusions and recommendations for a unified program of separations process development, design, and construction. It is the purpose of this letter to present these conclusions and recommendations, together with a brief summary of the reasons leading to their establishment.

It was agreed during a meeting on July 10, 1945 that an investigation should be made by the Technical Department to determine how fast and in what fashion the temperature of the effluent water from the 100 Areas is dissipated in the columbia River. A preliminary report on this investigation is submitted herewith for review by interested parties.