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U.S. Department of Energy
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Re-evaluation of Moisture Controls During ARIES Oxide Processing, Packaging and Characterization

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1414166· OSTI ID:1414166
 [1];  [1]
  1. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

DOE-STD-3013 [1] requires limiting the relative humidity (RH) in the glovebox during processing of the oxide product for specific types of plutonium oxides. This requirement is mandated in order to limit corrosion of the stainless steel containers by deliquescence of chloride salts if present in the PuO2. DOE-STD-3013 also specifies the need to limit and monitor internal pressure buildup in the 3013 containers due to the potential for the generation of free H2 and O2 gas from the radiolysis of surfaceadsorbed water. DOE-STD-3013 requires that the oxide sample taken for moisture content verification be representative of the stabilized material in the 3013 container. This is accomplished by either limiting the time between sampling and packaging, or by control of the glovebox relative humidity (%RH). This requirement ensures that the sample is not only representative, but also conservative from the standpoint of moisture content.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC52-06NA25396
OSTI ID:
1414166
Report Number(s):
LA--UR-17-31350
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English