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OXIDATION OF PLUTONIUM (III) BY SODIUM NITRITE

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4345806· OSTI ID:4345806
The reaction velocity constant for the oxidation of Pu(III) by nitrite in HNO/sub 3/ solution containing ferrous sulfanate is given. The reaction rate was found to be measurable by means of spectrophotometry. The data indicate the reaction to be a pseudo first-order reaction in the region of HNO/sub 3/ and nitrite concentration of interest. The reaction velocity constant, expressed as a first-order reaction with respect to Pu, was found for several values of HNO/ sub 3/ and nitrite concentrations. The HNC/sub 3/ reaction velocity constant relationship is given. The oxidation of the ferrous sulfamate--Pu(III Pu(III) solution proceeds successively through the sulfamate, ferrous, and Pu(III) ions. An autocatalytic mechanism is asscciated with the oxidation of both ferrous and Pu ions which obviates the possibility of simple calculations of constants based on nitrite concentration. An empirical relationship between the reaction velociiy constant and the (added) nitrite concentration is given. (auth)
Research Organization:
General Electric Co. Hanford Atomic Products Operation, Richland, Wash.
DOE Contract Number:
W-31-109-ENG-52
NSA Number:
NSA-12-003620
OSTI ID:
4345806
Report Number(s):
HW-51655
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English