A new analysis of the Vixen A Trials
The source term for assessing events that involve the combustion of metallic plutonium (Pu) presents a continuing need in carrying out safety evaluations in support of DOE programs involving nuclear weapons. For production, storage, transport and decommissioning operations, an accident sequence that frequently must be evaluated involves metallic Pu being exposed in a fire environment. There are significant data on which to base an estimate for the source term which has been surveyed recently by Mishima et al (Mishima, 1993), but much of the surveyed work relates to well controlled laboratory experiments with relatively small amounts of Pu. One of the most relevant sources of information was the work by Stewart (Stewart, 1959) of the UK Atomic Weapon Research Establishment at Aldermaston. That work, referred to as the Vixen A Trials provides direct experimental data on the aerosolization and environmental releases from relatively large metallic Pu shapes immersed in a ``petrol`` fire. A new analysis of the air sampler data from the two Vixen A Trials experiments involving chunks of plutonium exposed to hydrocarbon fuel fires indicated a respirable release fraction (referenced to total plutonium involved) of 0.0001 to 0.0003 (1 E-4 to 3 E-4) depending on the parameters used in the atmospheric transport and dispersion model used. A value of 3 E-4 is recommended as an upper limit for use in safety assessment studies involving similar accident scenarios.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- OSTI ID:
- 10127800
- Report Number(s):
- SAND--93-2528; TTC--1285; ON: DE94007249; BR: GB0103012
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
053004
054000
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
AIR SAMPLERS
COMBUSTION
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DATA ANALYSIS
DESIGN BASIS AND HYPOTHETICAL ACCIDENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
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NUCLEAR FACILITIES
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RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
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054000
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
AIR SAMPLERS
COMBUSTION
DATA
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DESIGN BASIS AND HYPOTHETICAL ACCIDENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
HEALTH AND SAFETY
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
PLUTONIUM
RADIATION ACCIDENTS
RADIOACTIVE AEROSOLS
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
SAFETY ANALYSIS