Sampling, characterization, and remote sensing of aerosols formed in the atmospheric hydrolysis of uranium hexafluoride
When gaseous uranium hexafluoride (UF/sub 6/) is released into the atmosphere, it rapidly reacts with ambient moisture to form an aerosol of uranyl fluoride (UO/sub 2/F/sub 2/) and hydrogen fluoride (HF). As part of our Safety Analysis program, we have performed several experimental releases of HF/sub 6/ in contained volumes in order to investigate techniques for sampling and characterizing the aerosol materials. The aggregate particle morphology and size distribution have been found to be dependent upon several conditions, including the temperature of the UF/sub 6/ at the time of its release, the relative humidity of the air into which it is released, and the elapsed time after the release. Aerosol composition and settling rate have been investigated using stationary samplers for the separate collection of UO/sub 2/F/sub 2/ and HF and via laser spectroscopic remote sensing (Mie scatter and infrared spectroscopy). 25 refs., 16 figs., 5 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant (K-25), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OT21400
- OSTI ID:
- 6040323
- Report Number(s):
- K/PS-5042; ON: DE86006341
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Sampling and characterization of aerosols formed in the atmospheric hydrolysis of UF/sub 6/
Source term evaluation for postulated UF{sub 6} release accidents in gaseous diffusion plants -- Summer ventilation mode (non-seismic cases)
Related Subjects
URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY
AIR SAMPLERS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FLUORESCENCE SPECTROSCOPY
HUMIDITY
HYDROFLUORIC ACID
PARTICLE SIZE
RADIATION ACCIDENTS
RADIOACTIVE AEROSOLS
ACCIDENTS
ACTINIDE COMPOUNDS
AEROSOLS
CHEMISTRY
COLLOIDS
DATA
DISPERSIONS
EMISSION SPECTROSCOPY
EQUIPMENT
FLUORIDES
FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INFORMATION
INORGANIC ACIDS
NUMERICAL DATA
SAMPLERS
SIZE
SOLS
SPECTROSCOPY
URANIUM COMPOUNDS
URANIUM FLUORIDES
500300* - Environment
Atmospheric- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)