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SURVEY OF POTENTIAL VAPOR-PHASE EXPLOSIONS IN DAREX AND SULFEX PROCESSES

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4081137
A survey of the thermodynamics and limits of flammability of gases expected when sodium-bonded stainlesssteel-clad reactor fuels are dissolved in dilute aqua regia or sulfuric acid showed that vapor-phase explosions are a definite possibllity with the aqua regia system. Reactions of hydrogen with nitrogen oxides, NOCl, and Cl/sub 2/ are highly exothermic, and mixtures of the gases are explosive over wide concentration ranges. The Sulfex process, in which only hydrogen is evolved, apparently could be used without additional hazard if the sodium--water reaction could be contained. (auth)
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., Tenn.
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
NSA Number:
NSA-15-006049
OSTI ID:
4081137
Report Number(s):
ORNL-2937
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English