Evaluation of source-term data for plutonium aerosolization

Technical Report · Wed Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1992

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/10179792· OSTI ID:10179792

Haschke, J M

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., 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
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

050400
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400800
COMBUSTION, PYROLYSIS, AND HIGH-TEMPERATURE CHEMISTRY
DISTRIBUTION
FEED PROCESSING
FIRES
OXIDATION
PARTICLE SIZE
PLUTONIUM
PLUTONIUM DIOXIDE
PLUTONIUM HYDRIDES
RADIOACTIVE AEROSOLS
SOURCE TERMS