Investigation of UF/sub 6/ behavior in a fire
Reactions between UF/sub 6/ and combustible gases and the potential for UF/sub 6/-filled cylinders to rupture when exposed to fire are addressed. Although the absence of kinetic data prevents specific identification and quantification of the chemical species formed, potential reaction products resulting from the release of UF/sub 6/ into a fire include UF/sub 4/, UO/sub 2/F/sub 2/, HF, C, CF/sub 4/,COF/sub 2/, and short chain, fluorinated or partially fluorinated hydrocarbons. Such a release adds energy to a fire relative to normal combustion reactions. Time intervals to an assumed point of rupture for UF/sub 6/-filled cylinders exposed to fire are estimated conservatively. Several related studies are also summarized, including a test series in which small UF/sub 6/-filled cylinders were immersed in fire resulting in valve failures and explosive ruptures. It is concluded that all sizes of UF/sub 6/ cylinders currently in use may rupture within 30 minutes when totally immersed in a fire. For cylinders adjacent to fires, rupture of the larger cylinders appears much less likely.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OR21400
- OSTI ID:
- 6778103
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-880558-11; ON: DE88017126
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Uranium hexafluoride--safe handling, processing, and transporting conference, Oak Ridge, TN, USA, 24 May 1988; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
COMBUSTION PRODUCTS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
FIRES
URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE
ACCIDENTS
CYLINDERS
HEAT TRANSFER
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
RUPTURES
URANIUM FLUORIDES
ACTINIDE COMPOUNDS
ENERGY TRANSFER
FAILURES
FLUORIDES
FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
URANIUM COMPOUNDS
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054000 - Nuclear Fuels- Health & Safety
400702 - Radiochemistry & Nuclear Chemistry- Properties of Radioactive Materials
400800 - Combustion
Pyrolysis
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