Prospectus` of Band Pass Amplifiers for Proportional Counters and Instrumentation for the Study of the Electrodeposition Potential of Radioactive Elements have been submitted for review and approval. An error was found in calculations for the band pass amplifier discussed in Group 9 of the Electronics Progress Report,MLM-306, March 1--31, 1949, on the Cathode-Follower Probe. New calculations have been made and a band pass filter constructed to match the new values. Work on the cathode-follower circuit for coupling a Boron-wall tube to its linear amplifier indicated that the limit to the sharpness of a pulse which could be achieved was possibly caused by poor amplitude versus frequency response of the linear amplifier. To check this theory, modifications were made on an existing scaler which resulted in a frequency response flat up to 4.5 megacycles. Plans are being made to improve the amplitude versus frequency of the higher frequencies. The response curve shows a slightly rising characteristic at 4.5 megacycles and an attenuation at 7 megacycles. Construction of the rf generator has been resumed in an effort to deliver the finished product to Group 4 by approximately May 6, 1949. The meter circuit will measure relative rf output voltage instead of absolute …

With the completion of tests of the prototype cathode-follower, it was decided to produce three more models. These have been constructed and pass the same pulse as that of the prototype. Drawings are being made of these units. By the time these units had been completed, the amplifier of the scaler was modified so that its frequency response was essentially flat up to 4.5 megacycles. Using this amplifier and the cathode-follower, a study of the pulse shapes was made and four different pulse shapes were found to be obtainable. A band pass network between the B-wall tube and the input of the cathode-follower provided a very substantial improvement over the shunt peaking network with a band pass of 1.8 to 6.5 megacycles and provided clean, uniform pulses. Plans are being made to experiment with a filter of narrower band pass, which, if satisfactory, will produce greater amplitude. When the final band pass has been determined, a combination of shunt peaking and band pass networks should provide a net gain of 30% in amplitude. The result of this research is to provide an immediate improvement in resolution loss and a possibility of realizing a still lower minimum resolving time when the …

Several bismuth compounds have been submitted by E. Orban for examination by x-ray diffraction. The sample of polonium in contact with platinum mentioned in the May progress report was received and identified tentatively from its x-ray diffraction pattern as PtPo{sub 2}. Calibration of the Perkin-Elmer infrared spectrophotometer has been completed and a preliminary study of the infrared absorption of NiCO{sub 4} made. Data showing the spectral purity obtainable on three ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometers have been completed. The emission spectrum of a sample of volatile impurity from the operations process has been obtained.

A study has been made of the time and temperature required to anneal Teflon and Fluorothene. It has been found that, by proper annealing, the strains my be removed and cold-flow prevented. The disk stopcocks prepared with annealed plastics have not developed leaks on standing. A description is given of the modified slug-dissolver heating unit which has been installed in the Bismuth-II Process Line. Work has been continued on the absorption spectra of bismuth in hydrochloric acid solutions. Two methods have been described for the interpretation of absorption spectra data. The transmission curve of the Evelyn colorimeter filters have been measured on the Cary recording spectrophotometer. The resulting curves should aid in the selection of the proper filter for a given calorimetric analyses. A brief outline for the proposed method of decontaminating platinum has been presented.

In the operation of countercurrent extraction columns as in the Redox process, it is possible, and probable, that from unexpected behaviour of a column, operator error, colloid formation, etc., there will result from time to time excessive losses of uranium and plutonium in the overall process. These losses will naturally accumulate in the waste streams, particularly in the aqueous waste streams. If the loss is excessively high, and such lost material can be recovered by some additional method, then if economical and within reason, the recovered materials ran be returned to a ISF column for further processing. The objective of this work has been to develop such a method to recover uranium and plutonium from such off-standard waste streams in a form whereby the uranium send plutonium can be returned to the process line and subsequently purified and separated.

December 16--20, 1949 were spent in inspection of the equipment of the Naval Pilot Channel Test Rig at the Oak Ridge pile, observation of its maintenance and use, and in discussions with the test operating personnel, and members of the H.P. and pile operating divisions. December 21 was spent at the Argonne National Laboratories, Naval Reactor Division, in inspection of the test rig under construction for use at the H pile. Dr. Etherington requested that I express their desire to arrange that an Argonne scientist be at Hanford with the test rig to act in an advisory capacity, for consultation, and to prepare such reports to Argonne as they may need to call for as the test progresses.

None

The decomposition of diacetyl peroxide in acetic acid-2-C{sup 14} has been studied, The activity of the products in general confirmed the mechanism of the reaction as proposed by Kharasch and Gladstone, The presence and distribution of activity in the methyl acetate produced in this reaction is not explained by the previously proposed mechanism. There was no appreciable exchange of acetic acid and diacetyl peroxide under the conditions of the reaction. Essentially no exchange of methyl acetate and acetic acid was observed when those reagents mere heated at 100 for five hours.

The experimental data presented in HDC-1255 for the pressure drops through the various portions of a standard process tube assembly for isothermal flow are correlated in this report. Data include orifice sizes up to 0.310 inches. The equations have been adapted for the calculation of pressure drops or flow rates for clean tubes in pile operation. A systematic procedure is outlined for determining the pressure drops through each portion of the tube assembly. A method is presented for calculating the flow rate through a process tube from header pressure and panellit age readings.

This trip was spent in conferences with H. Etherington, A. Amroni, Geo. Anderson, and L.W. Fromm; and in inspection of components now being built for the Navy Test Rig which is to be installed at H Pile. Mr. Anderson believes that the entire assembly will arrive at Hanford between January 16 and 23, 1950. Much has yet to be designed and built, however. Also, certain incompatibilities with the H Pile were pointed out, and will be altered.

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.

None

None

This report covers work done by the Physical Chemistry Group and the Pile Engineering Groups. Subjects covered are as follows: corrosion laboratory testing details; pile borescopic inspections; slug deformation details; Van Stone flange corrosion details; corrosion rate at elevated temperature; added control ink facility; borescope equipment and repair; water recirculation cooling tests; pile expansion; carbon dioxide experiment; special graphite measurements; graphite core sample; vertical thimble temperature; beta experiment; x-ray diffraction studies; thermal annealing; empty process tube temperatures; oxidation of graphite; thermal annealing -- interferometer measurements.

None

Waste disposal, pile operations and P-10 operations are reported. Construction in the 100 (Pile) areas, 200 (Separations) areas, and 400 (Technical Center) area is described. General work included Richland paving, the Southern Railroad connection, and the Richland levee. Personnel data and visitor information is also included.

None

None

This report is a descriptive journey of the Activation Analysis of the Rare Earths.

This report addresses the density and viscosity of solutions in the tributyl phosphate process for uranium recovery.

None

None

This is a letter of transmittal which describes the waste disposal problem at the Hanford Site. These disposal problems were discussed with the United States Geologic Survey, Atomic Energy Commission, and General Electric on October 27, 1949. Conclusions from this meeting is the main text of this letter.

None