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A high resolution scale-of-four has been developed to be used in conjunction with the nuclear particle detection devices in applications where the counting rate is unusually high. Specifically, it is intended to preceed the commercially available medium resolution scaling circuits and so decrease the resolving time of the counting system. The circuit will function reliably on continuously recurring pulses separated by less than 0.1 μ sec. It will resolve two pulses (occuring at a moderate repetition rate) which are spaced at 0.04 μ sec. A five-volt input signal is sufficient to actuate the device.

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This report details events of importance reported by the Hanford Operations Office for the week ending February 23, 1949.

This document details activities at the Hanford Engineer Works during the month of January 1949.

Prior to April 1948 the generally accepted method of reducing the radioactive contamination of metal tools and laboratory apparatus was a series of rinses in aqua regia or various other concentrated acids. This method proved unsatisfactory for three reasons. (A) It was not a dependable method of removing activity. (B) It had a delecterious effect on tools in that it caused serious pitting, which resulted in weakened parts, and exposed a bare metal that was subject to very rapid corrosion. (C) Tools and apparatus once cleaned by this method could not readily be cleaned a second time. With the aforementioned limitations in mind, it became obvious that a new method was required. After considerable investigation into a electrochemical processes the present method was developed. Essentially, the new method is an electropolish bath to remove the activity lodged in the pores of the metal, and a ``follow-up`` chrome plate bath to render the surface impassive to corrosion.

The supersonic method of cleaning glassware is an outgrowth of the fact that it has been heretofore impossible to manually clean ground glass and quartz joints because the activity became lodged in the small pores of the ground surfaces. It has been theorized that the nature of the forces binding polonium to the glass is similar to that of the chemical bond but are less intense. The problem then becomes one of finding a force greater than this binding energy, capable of freeing the activity from the glass. This has been accomplished by using frequencies of 100 cycles to 20 kc at a power output from 2 to 20 watts, passing through a citric acid solution (pH-2) into which the contaminated article is placed. The optimum results, using a tank with the dimensions 7 in. {times} 7 in. {times} 7 in. and 3 liters of solution, has been found at 200 cycles or harmonics of 200 cycles. Citric acid was used because of the fact that it forms a soluble complex with polonium. The frequencies used have been kept within the sonic range until enough data has been obtained and correlated to warrant the design and construction of more costly …

This memorandum is an outline of hydrologic investigations that seem desirable at the Hanford Directed Operations of the Atomic Energy Commission. In its present form, the outline is tentative and is intended as a basis for further considerations in the Commission, the Geological Survey, and other agencies concerned. In scope, it seeks to cover (1) advisory functions to the Atomic Energy Commission and its prime contractor with respect to an evaluation of the continuing hazards due to process wastes, also with respect to water-supply problems of the expanding operations at Hanford; also (2) civilian-protection aspects of possible emergencies, especially in the region adjacent to the Hanford reservation.

Tracer studies employing uranium enriched in the isotopes U{sup 234}, U{sup 235} have been carried out in six human subjects; four males and two females. The uranium, 6 micrograms to 70 micrograms per kilogram of body weight was given intravenously in the hexavalent state as uranyl nitrate. Each individual of the series received a single injection of the metal except for one who was given two widely spaced doses. The first of these was when his condition was normal and the second after an acidosis had been produced by ingestion of ammonium chloride. Renal function tests including urinary catalase, protein, amino N to Creatinine N ratio and clearances of mannitol and p-aminohippurate were done before and after administration of uranium. Only at the 70 microgram per kilogram level in Subject 6 was there a slight rise in urinary catalase and protein suggesting that tolerance had been reached. The excretion of uranium was mainly in the urine, where from 70 to 85% of the administered dose appeared in the first twenty-four hours. Urine of the second twenty-four hours contained about 4% and the third twenty-four hour urine, 1.5% of the administered dose. Detectable amounts were excreted for at least two weeks.

The radioactive amino acid's synthesized from C{sup 14}O{sub 2} by green algae both in the light and in the dark after CO{sub 2}-free preillumination have been separated and identified using paper chromatography and radioautography. The radioactive amino acids identified were aspartic acid, alanine and smaller amounts of 3- and 4-carbon amino acids. This finding as well as the total absence of radioactive glutamic acid substantiates the mechanism for reduction of CO{sub 2} previously postulated by members of this laboratory.

This summary of the research progress meeting for March 25, 1948 covers the following topics: (1) Recent n-p scattering measurements; (2) Mass measurements of mesons; and (3) Naphthalene counters.

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This report contains a letter, written on July 25, 1947, concerning the sampling program at Columbia River. The author suggests reducing the sampling schedule. He states that chemical composition sampling should be reduced by one-fifth and radioactivity sampling be reduced by one-third. He suggests that only mid-channel samples are required for representative studies. He further states that weekly sampling should occur. By following these suggestions, the cost of the sampling program should be drastically reduced because the hours of manpower taken to sample the river, analyze the data, organize, and store information would be reduced.

There were no cases of unusual blistering of slugs being followed under Production Tests. Two normal production tubes were borescoped following trouble with discharge. In Tube 3188-D a distorted slug became stuck in the region of sharp curvature near the inner end of the rear gun barrel; this is the first time this phenomenon has occurred. Examination of irradiated slugs of rolled metal after normal exposure indicates that rolled material has no particular advantages over extruded material from the standpoint of blistering. However, no extensively blistered pieces were found in either the rolled metal are being held for more extended exposure. Inspection of a large number of Van Stone flanges in the D and F Piles has confirmed that the inlet flanges are in generally good condition but that the rear Van Stone flanges of tubes in the 0.140-inch orifice sone of both piles were badly corroded and generally contained deep pits that extended about half-way through the flange. The Van Stone test units are to be installed unshielded in the risor room at the rear of the D Pile, since the shielding required in the X Sample Room exceeded the allowable floor loading. Recent experimental observations indicate that solid …

The test of March 7, 1947 was planned as a check on power coefficient values; however, an analysis of reactivity data gave evidence of a considerable flattening of ``A`` rod in the region between 0--75 inches out. A second test of longer duration was therefore made on April 1, 1947 in order to obtain a check calibration of this portion of the control rod. The results of this test verified the flattening of this portion of ``A`` rod. The redetermined power coefficients based on new rod calibrations are given.

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This report gives the weekly progress for the B, D, and F piles. The report also gives a brief discussion of the following activities: process water control and pressure drop studies; purging of D, B, and F piles; slug corrosion studies; tube corrosion studies; thimble corrosion studies; and graphite expansion studies.

This report from the reactor fuel manufacturing facilities at Hanford highlights extrusion, canning, and welding operations. Processing of thorium and bismuth is discussed. Radiography of fuels revealed voids that conformed underweight reject measurements.

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This report addresses the casting of uranium rods at iowa state college.

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