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U.S. Department of Energy
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PYROLYTIC AND RADIOLYTIC DECOMPOSITION OF ORGANIC REACTOR COOLANTS

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4305200
Gamma irradiations have been conducted on monoisopropylbiphenyl. The gamma radiolysis products are similar to those formed by reactor radiations. Fast neutrons are found tn be slightly more damaging per equal energy absorption than gamma rays. The pyrolysis of several polyphenyl compounds hs been investigated. When the pyrolysis data are combined with previously obtained reactor radiolysis data, it is found that under irradiation all polyphenyl compounds decompose at about equal rates below a transition temperature that is characteristic of the compound. The approximate transition temperatures are: biphenyl 430 deg C, terphenyl 420 deg C, monomethylbiphenyl 400 deg C, and isopropylbiphenyl 370 deg C. (auth)
Research Organization:
General Electric Co. Hanford Atomic Products Operation, Richland, Wash.
DOE Contract Number:
W-31-109-ENG-52
NSA Number:
NSA-12-015404
OSTI ID:
4305200
Report Number(s):
HW-53718
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English