Summary: "This report investigates photographic methods of measuring beta radiation and includes a study of temperature effects on these measurements. Experimental data are submitted to show that an increase in film temperature before and during beta irradiation causes a definite increase in density for the same dosage. Recommendations drawn from experience gained in the experimental works are offered."

This report summarizes in somewhat more detail than the monthly H.I. Environs reports the extent and magnitude of the radioactive contamination detected in the environs of the Hanford Works. Radioactive contamination resulting from the operation of the Hanford Works as well as that found occurring in natural quantities is included. This belated report is being issued merely for the records to serve as a composite summary of measurements already reported in the monthly H.I. Environs reports and covers the quarterly period January, February, and March, 1949.

Report presenting an altitude-chamber investigation to determine the altitude performance characteristics of the British Rolls-Royce Nene II turbojet engine with a standard 18.75-inch-diameter jet nozzle. Results regarding the simulated flight performance and generalized performance across other altitude and pressure characteristics are provided.

Report presenting a semiempirical method of estimating the forces on airfoil at near sonic speeds and in the presence of detached shock waves. The calculated values were found to be in good agreement with wind-tunnel testing of the forces on sharp-nose airfoils and two-dimensional wings.

Report presenting an investigation to determine the longitudinal stability characteristics of a complete model equipped with a variable-sweep wing at four different angles of sweepback. The primary objective was to study various wing modifications and an external-flap arrangement designed to minimize the shift in neutral point accompanying the change in sweep angle.

Report presenting an investigation in the two-dimensional low-turbulence tunnel of the NACA 65,3-418 airfoil section with a 25-percent-airfoil-chord plain flap and a suction slot on the flap. The primary purpose of the investigation is to determine the effect of the type of boundary-layer control on the section lift-drag ratio.

Discussions included the aluminum nitrate recovery process; specifications for process pumps; a review of the safety of the Redox process; plans for the proposed Waste Tank Farm, retention basin, diversion box, and cribs; and a request from the US AEC for a concise summary of the entire Redox program.

Topics discussed include gang valve substitute devices; cost of lining cell bottom with stainless steel; and the pump development program. [The Redox plant used a reduction-oxidation process for fuel separation that allowed recovery of uranium as well as plutonium for the first time. It succeeded earlier plants (T and B) that had used methods based on the bismuth phosphate process that recovered only plutonium.]

Abstract: A procedure for the preparation of the nitrides and carbides of several metals and the preparation of the refractory bodies from them is described. The investigation shows that reasonably strong and dense bodies can be prepared from these materials as well as from UO₂. Evidence showing the tendency toward instability at high temperatures of Be₃N₂, TaN, and ThN is presented. Evidence is also given indicating that the hexagonal structure reported by others for TaN is actually that for Ta₂N. A lattice for Th₂N₃ is proposed. The melting points of ThN, UN, and UC are determined to be 2630 ± 50°C,2650 ± 100°C, and 2590 ± 50°C respectively.

"The studies of this report were made to indicate the thermal stability at elevated temperatures of fluorocarbons similar to the hexadecafluoroheptane" (p. 4).

The cloud chamber is a means of observing the path of ionizing radiation. It does not reveal the radiation directly, but gives a visible trail of the path along which the radiation has traveled. The trail is formed by vapor condensing upon pairs of ions remaining after an ionizing particle has passed through the medium. The mutual interaction among rays, atoms, nuclei, and particles, can be studied and measured with the aid of vapor trails. Measurements of changes in direction and range as recorded on the photographs may be interpreted in terms of changes in momentum and energy of the particles in these reactions. To obtain a precision measurement is difficult with a cloud chamber. The dependence of the apparatus upon a sudden gas expansion is certain to create distortions resulting from turbulence. Furthermore, since any radiation is subject to variations, precision measurements can be obtained only be the collection of numerous observations for statistical analysis. This document details the design, operation, and limitations of cloud chambers.

Memorandum presenting an investigation of the effects of stator cone angle and tip leakage on turbine performance. A single-stage turbine with 40-percent reaction was operated with two stators and two stationary shrouds. The turbine was operated at an entrance temperature of 660 degrees R with total-pressure ratios from 1.25 to 3.70 and equivalent mean blade speeds from 166 to 655 feet per second.

"A heat-transfer investigation was conducted with air flowing through an electrically heated silicon carbide tube with a rounded entrance, an inside diameter of 3/4 inch, and an effective heat-transfer length of 12 inches over a range of Reynolds numbers up to 300,000 and a range of average inside-tube-wall temperature up to 2500 R. The highest corresponding local outside-tube-wall temperature was 3010 R. Correlation of the heat-transfer data using the conventional Nueselt relation wherein physical properties of the fluid were evaluated at average bulk temperature resulted in a separation of data with tube-wall-temperature level" (p. 1).

A heat-transfer investigation was conducted with air flowing through an electrically heated silicon carbide tube with a rounded entrance, an inside diameter of 3/4 inch, and effective heat-transfer length of 12 inches over a range of Reynolds numbers up to 300,000 and a range of average inside-tube-wall temperatures up to 2500 R. The highest corresponding local outside-tube-wall temperature was 3010 R.

"An investigation was made of the first-stage turbine of a Mark 25 torpedo power plant to determine the performance of the unity with two nozzle configurations and a special rotor having 0.45-inch blades instead of the standard length of 0.40 inch. Both nozzles had smaller passages than the nozzles of similar shape that were previously investigated. The performance of the nozzle-blade combinations is evaluated in terms of brake, rotor, and blade efficiency as functions of blade-jet speed ratio for three pressure ratios" (p. 1).

"Measurements were made, in dives to transonic speeds, of the static-pressure position error at a distance of one chord ahead of the McDonnell XF-88 airplane. The airplane incorporates a wing which is swept back 35 deg along the 0.22 chord line and utilizes a 65-series airfoil with a 9-percent-thick section perpendicular to the 0.25-chord line. The section in the stream direction is approximately 8-percent thick. Data up to a Mach number of about 0.97 were obtained within an airplane normal-force-coefficient range from about 0.05 to about 0.68" (p. 1).