Evaluation of source-term data for plutonium aerosolization
Relevant data are reviewed and evaluated in an effort to define the time dependence and maximum value of the source term for plutonium aerosolization during a fuel fire. The rate of plutonium oxidation at high temperatures is a major determinant of the time dependence. Analysis of temperature-time data for oxidation of plutonium shows that the rate is constant (0.2 g PUO{sub 2}/cm{sup 2} of metal surface per min) and independent of temperature above 500{degrees}C. Total mass and particle distributions are derived for oxide products formed by reactions of plutonium metal and hydride. The mass distributions for products of all metal-gas reactions are remarkably similar with approximately 0.07 mass% of the oxide particles having geometric diameters {le} 10 {mu}m. In comparison, 25 mass% of the oxide formed by the PuH{sub 2}+O{sub 2} reaction is in this range. Experimental values of mass fractions released during oxidation are evaluated and factors that alter the release fraction are discussed.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- OSTI ID:
- 10179792
- Report Number(s):
- LA-12315-MS; ON: DE92040908
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: Jul 1992
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Mechanics of plutonium metal aerosolization
Hydride-catalyzed corrosion of plutonium by air: Initiation by plutonium monoxide monohydride
Related Subjects
37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
PLUTONIUM
OXIDATION
PLUTONIUM DIOXIDE
RADIOACTIVE AEROSOLS
PLUTONIUM HYDRIDES
FIRES
SOURCE TERMS
PARTICLE SIZE
DISTRIBUTION
050400
400800
FEED PROCESSING
COMBUSTION, PYROLYSIS, AND HIGH-TEMPERATURE CHEMISTRY