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This report gives the weekly status for the B, D, and F piles. Also given is the reactivity status at the end of the week for each pile. Process water control and pressure drop studies are discussed. Finally a brief discussion is given of the graphite expansion problem.

The B Pile operated 25 MW below rated power level without interruption during the week. The D Pile was shut down on January 29. During the shutdown 103 tubes were discharged. The shut down lasted for 15 hours. During operation after the shut down power was reduced to meet graphite temperature restrictions. The F Pile was run steadily throughout the week at 25 MW below rated level. Iron content in the process water averaged 0.015, 0.011 and 0.010 ppm at B, D, and F Areas, respectively. Examination of the slugs discharged from four corrosion tubes at F has been completed. A summary of conditions found in the vertical and horizontal aluminium thimbles at D and F during a recent inspection are given. Results are given on the graphite expansion problem.

This report review the work being conducted in the 300 area of the Hanford production facility for the month of January.

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The objective of this report is to determine the poisoning effectiveness and uniformity of a batch of approximately thirty myrnalloy slugs prior to charging into the B pile. The report is dated February 19, 1946. (JL)

Extrusion was run on one day, February 2, and a total of 271 billets (178 Type G, 12 type BT, and 81 red band) were processed. Two failures occurred among the red band billets; UM 6610 had begun to melt in the furnace and TX 3323 disintegrated on being extruded through the die. Samples of these billets are being checked chemically and metallurgically in an attempt to ascertain the cause for the hot-short characteristics of these billets. A sample cut from a rod which possessed zero strength (fell apart under no stress other than its own weight) at extrusion temperature was found to contain a large amount of microconstituent not ordinarily found in appreciable quantity on uranium sections. The distribution and appearance of the excess phase suggested at least partial liquation at the working temperature and it could, therefore, be responsible for the hot-short tendency.

Progress is reported on the topics of extrusion and canning. The information on canning is broken down into: Production test 313-74-M, studies of aluminium cans, selection of surface rejection standards, thorium, and the effect of high and low tin in bronze on tin carry-over to canning bath.