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This technical progress report details 100 Area activities for the time period of July 16 through July 22, 1946.

This report covers work done by the Pile Engineering Groups and work done on special assignments. Topics covered include: slug blistering and corrosion; graphite allocation to DR pile; slug molding; segmental discharge; Van Stone corrosion; flow laboratory modifications; downcomer at B pile; downcomer at D pile; annealing of pile graphite; replacement of pile atmosphere with CO{sub 2}; unit motion; beta experiment; can opening; slug annealing; new technical building, 300 area; and ruptured slugs.

The physics of the shutdown of the D pile on July 2 is emphasized in the operation report. The F pile shutdown and operating specifics are also discussed. Water, corrosion, and engineering are reported for the B, D, and F areas.

This brief memo from the 300 area of the Hanford plant, July 13, 1948, describes the need to redesign the ventilation system so as to minimize hazards associated with performing maintenance work.

On July 14, 1949, and office memorandum was written about operations of a reprocessing building on the Hanford Site being suspended due to the mishandling of some plutonium powder. The letter describes the process of decontamination of the building surfaces, and the ventilation of the rooms of that building. It also describes the problem with the ventilation fans due to increased temperature and pressures.

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The authors have produced and identified two new series of alpha-particle emitting radioactive elements; one is a 'collateral' branch of the actinium (4n + 3) radioactive family and the other is collateral to the thorium (4n) family. The series are of considerable interest in that they are the first whose early members lie on the neutron deficient side of beta stability. They have been produced in high yield of irradiation of thorium with deuterons of energy about {sup 80}Mev in the Berkeley 184-inch cyclotron. So far as the present observations are concerned both of these series begin with isotopes of protactinium (atomic number 91), although progenitors with higher atomic numbers are to be expected and will possibly be produced and identified. These protactinium isotopes are Pa{sup 227} and Pa{sup 228} formed by d,7n and d,6n reactions respectively.

Various biochemical effects of radiation have been studied in 10 patients given total body x-ray in total doses of 75 to 310 r (skin), in 5 patients given 20 to 36 mc. P{sup 32}, and in 5 project personnel accidentally exposed to excessive doses of external radiations. Similar studies have also been made of several hundred Plutonium Project personnel exposed in most instances to relatively small amounts of uranium, lead and other metals, and to chemicals and radioactive sources. These studies included the investigation of liver function, of white blood cell chemistry, and of various urinary constituents such as coproporphyrin, urorosein and other pigments, urobilinogen, ``corticosteroid-like`` substances, catalase, and uranium. Definitely excessive exposures resulted in various abnormalities in the above tests. With the exception of urinary uranium analysis none of them are specific in indicating overexposure to either radiation, metals, or chemicals. When interpreted in the light of the exposure and medical history, however, it is felt that they may aid in the clinical interpretation of relatively marked overexposure at least. In addition, they may afford further insight into the nature of radiation effects. The literature on the biochemical effects of radiation is reviewed briefly, and certain suggestions are offered …

This is a progress report from Brookhaven National Laboratory for the period July 1 through December 31, 1949.

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.

On June 3 the writer was detailed to the 300 Area to study operations in Bldg, 313. Seven days were spent with C shift in the caning and dipping area. In this period, a system of coordinating press cycles was developed to utilize machine time most effectively. Subsequently, a brief amount of time was spent working in a design of the can cleaning area so as to incorporate the aluminum can etching operation and facilitate the handling and flow of materials. The next stage of perhaps a week was devoted to a study of inspection and testing methods. The final period of one week was utilized mainly to develop a method of storing finished material so as to provide the maximum amount of piece-classification flexibility without incurring enormous burdens in the movement of material to later stages of the operation.

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This memo discusses the effects of advancing to higher power levels of the 105 Piles (D-Pile). It is concluded that there is no technical reason against a cautious advance to higher powers; the units can be run at higher levels than their rating of 250 MW, or the additional reactivity that they will gain with time may be taken entirely in the form of lower peak temperatures and radiation levels. The decision as to what course to follow between these extremes involves such issues as the best use of uranium and the most effective separation of adequate amounts of product of proper quality.

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This memorandum discusses the deaeration of process water for the F area at the Hanford Engineer Works. The memorandum is dated July 13, 1944.

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