In an early continuation of the investigation of the radioactive isotopes of element number 43 (technetium) Segre and Seaborg produced by the deuteron and neutron bombardment of molybdenum the isotope Tc{sup 99}, which they observed to decay by means of an isomeric transition with a half-life of 6.6 hours to a lower isomeric state with a half-life greater than 40 years. The upper isomeric state of this isotope was observed by Segre and C. S. Wu to be produced in the fission of uranium and more recently R. P. Schumann and also D. C. Lincoln and W. H Sullivan working on the Plutonium Project of the Manhattan District have independently observed the beta-particles of half-life about 10 years due to the lower isomeric state. Later work by E. E. Motta and G. E. Boyd sets a more accurate value of 9.4 x 10{sup 5} years for this half-life. Since this isotope is formed in rather large amounts, namely, a fission yield of 6.2%, in the slow neutron induced fission of uranium it is now possible to isolate technetium in weighable amounts and in rather substantial quantities. For example, a uranium pile operating at a power level of 10{sup 5} kw …

The participation of phosphorus in biological oxidation-reduction reactions of the type found in glycolysis ADP + PO{sub 4}H{sup -} + 3-phosphoglyceraldehyde + DPN{sup +} = 3-phosphoglycerate{sup -} + 2H{sup +} + DPNH + ATP has suggested theories in which similar reactions are proposed for photosynthesis. In these theories the reducing power of photosynthesis is utilized not only for reduction of carbon dioxide but also, by means of coupled oxidations, for the generation of high-energy phosphate bonds, or in the last reference directly for the generation of high-energy phosphate. Since in these theories acyl phosphate is formed from inorganic phosphate, they are amenable to proof without isolation of particular intermediates, by means of radioactive phosphorus. It would be expected that the rate of conversion of inorganic phosphate to organic phosphate would be greater in light than in the dark. They have investigated this possibility under a variety of conditions and are unable to substantiate the theories.

All errors due to diffraction effects in a neutron attenuation experiment are computed. Also a special experiment to measure the forward intensity of diffracted neutrons from lead and copper is described, and the results given. These agree with the theoretical values.

This document presents the monthly reports of the 200 area technical group for July--December, 1947. (KS)

This report summarizes the contamination observed at the Hanford Works and vicinity for the period July, August, and September, 1947. Daily or weekly trends for all sampling locations as included in previous reports are omitted except in those cases where a true trend can be established. Statistical analysis to determine significant values and differences is used whenever possible. The report is divided into the following topic sections: meteorological -- wind conditions; extent of beta contamination in air and radiation level in air; extent of contamination in the Columbia River; extent of beta contamination in rain; extent of alpha and beta contamination in sanitary water; extent of beta contamination on vegetation; and the extent of contamination in Hanford Wastes. An appraisal and review of all the results is considered in detail for each section.

This technical progress letter contains reports from six Technical Department divisions at the Hanford Engineer Works for January 19 through January 25, 1947. The six reporting divisions are: 100 Areas, 300 Area, 200 Areas, Chemical Development, Laboratories, and Statistical Studies. (JL)

This report provides the monthly radiation monitoring sampling surveys for 1947.

Further data on the changes in length and weight of expanded graphite samples which were exposed in the pile in atmospheres of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and helium show that all three gases produce roughly the same shrinkage and weigh loss. This result is unexpected in that there is no precedent for such behavior in a helium atmosphere; however, it was found that water vapor had entered the helium stream by some unknown means and had condensed on the plugs at the inlet end of the tube. This opens the possibility that the graphite in the helium-filled tube was attacked by the reaction C + H{sub 2}O = CO + H{sub 2}. This experiment is to be repeated. The data are tabulated in this report. The expansion of the graphite before the experimental exposure was in all cases very nearly 0.6% per 1000 MD/CT. Both the D and the F Piles were scrammed by a power surge on April 14. Eight of the vertical rods did not drop into the D Pile. These and subsequent rod difficulties delayed the start up to such an extent that the reactivity losses associated with the build up of xenon poison and the cooling of …

Progress is reported in the physics and engineering aspects of pile technology.

The thirteenth meeting of the Graphite Expansion Committee was held on January 10, 1947. A summary of meeting topics follow. The horizontal bowing of Tube 4494-D in the top corner of the pile is considerably greater than the bowing which can be attributed to graphite expansion at this elevation in the pile, indicating that the top layers of graphite are being dragged outward by expansion of the underlying layers. Such a phenomenon could shear the vertical thimbles at a point just below the thermal blocks. Equipment is to be developed for measuring any eccentricity between the rod guide and a section of the thimble located just below the end of the guide. Jacking tests using forces up to 4000 lbs. on gun-barrels which show binding have demonstrated that binding is still present at these high forces. It was recommended that no further jacking tests be performed on gun-barrels which are known to exhibit binding. Rupture tests on Tube 4082-B caused failure of the rear Van Stone joint after the tube had been stretched {1/2} inch. The amount of tube stretch before failure of the flames will probably be affected primarily by corrosion of the flange and, for the same reason, …

The fourteenth meeting of the Graphite Expansion Committee was held on February 7, 1947. Laboratory studies indicate that either the graphite thermocouples are reading low or that annealing effects at elevated temperatures within the pile are much greater than those encountered In the laboratory. Current difficulties with operation of some of the horizontal and vertical control rods seem to be attributable to graphite expansion, though no complete understanding of the phenomena has been obtained and one is unable to predict the time required for similar difficulties to develop in other rods. Changes in clearance between process tubes and pile graphite in the D Pile have been erratic in nature but have averaged much less than had been anticipated. The negligible decrease in clearance for central tubes indicates that the expanding cross-wise graphite layers are slipping with respect to the graphite layers which contain process tubes.

This monthly report details technical activities in pile technology at the Hanford Engineer Works for the time period of April 6 through April 12, 1947.

Data acquired form the sampling of Yakima River water-t Tests is presented. The sampling took place on June 24, 1947. The samples were analyzed for ph value, alkalinity, chlorine, harness, NH(sub 3), NO(sub 3), biological oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity.

This memorandum lists the effect upon reactivity which would result from certain changes of material or design which might be considered for the new piles. Some of the information, published previously, is report here for convenience.

U.M. Staebier reports from the pile areas. Foil tests were conducted at the B pile. A power coefficient test was performed at the D pile; special request materials and reactivity balance are also reported. The new No. 2 horizontal rod of the F pile has been slightly resized. Graphite temperature readings, thermal conductivity calculations, special request materials, and reactivity balance are also reported. General physics are considered. Production tests 105-85-P and 106-1-P are reported. Egg testing at the 305 test pile is discussed. (GHH)

Data acquired from the sampling of Yakima River water on June 24, 1947, is presented. The water was analyzed for temperature, hardness, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, chlorine, alkalinity, NO(sub 3), NH(sub 3), and ph value.

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.

This report describes a test performed on April 2, 1947 to determine the reactivity power coefficients and the graphite relaxation period of the F Pile in accordance with the procedure described by this Production Test.

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

Recent discussions in the group have given rise to the problem of determining whether the beta contamination found in the Columbia River is carried by the algae which are found in the retention basin. The algae accumulate in the basin and apparently remain there longer than the retained water, and thus may be contaminated to a greater extent than the water itself.

Four routine shutdowns were experienced during the month. A measurable amount of the excess reactivity held in the control rods at the first of the month has been lost in the decrease in the average accumulated exposure of all the metal in the pile. The vertical safety rod guides have been measured for vertical alignment by the Maintenance Dept. A definite pattern has been found in the misalignment of the guides. The horizontal rod thimbles were borrowed on January 2, 1947 to see if any leaks were present. No leaks were observed but No. 2 Rod and No. 8 Rod had heavy gouge marks along the longitudinal axes. Several thimbles contained white corrosion. During the month two new bismuth tubes were established, 2871-D and 2877-D. This now gives the desired pattern of ten bismuth tubes.

There were seven charges of metal inspected during the month for corrosion and blistering studies. There were no unusual cases of blistering noted and the corrosion rates were normal for this time of year. Borescopic examination of the graphite packing around the ``B`` Hole in the F Pile revealed that the graphite is no more severely cracked than in the D Pile when it was inspected about a year ago. Examination of the graphite at the downstream and of Tube 1385-D did not indicate that any damage had been done by the leak in that tube. Forty one tubes have been charged in the F Pile on Production Test 105-90-P, ``Exposure of TX Metal Slugs.`` The routine job of taking vertical bowing measurements was turned over to the Instrument Department after working with them once in each Area. Installation of Van Stone test units was completed and a brief run was started. Van Stone flanges at both ends of 64 process tubes in both the B and F Piles were measured with a micrometer to determine the minimum amount of metal remaining.

This monthly report details Engineering Department technical activities for the month of May 1947.

This is the first of a series of monthly reports covering details of the work of the Engineering Group of the Pile Technology Section of the Technical Department. The monthly Slug Inspection Report is being discontinued as a separate document and is being incorporated in this group report. Included is work on corrosion and blistering; graphite expansion; and irradiation studies.