Tests of the stability of Dowtherm A at 600$sup 0$F with radiation doses up to 10$sup 6$ rad

Technical Report · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1974

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4397893· OSTI ID:4397893

Smith, A. M.

Tests were conducted to obtain data on the thermal stability of Dowtherm A when heated to 600 deg F and (1) subjected to varying gamma radiation dose rates in static capsules and (2) subjected to a constart dose rate while undergoing a phase change in the boiler of a Rankine cycle system. Results from the static capsules showed that radiation doses up to 7.8 x 10/sup 5/ rad had little if any effect on the noncondensable gas formation rates and that chemical purity is an important factor in decomposition rates of Dowtherm A. Data from the Rankine cycle system tests were inconclusive; however, they did indicate gas formation rates approximately 3 orders of magnitude greater than those of the capsule tests. This increase appeared to stem, at least in part, from malfunctions in the pumps which caused local overheating. (auth)

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., Tenn. (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• NSA Number: NSA-29-009911
• OSTI ID: 4397893
• Report Number(s): ORNL-TM--4403
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*BIPHENYL-- CHEMICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
*ETHERS-- CHEMICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
CAPSULES
GAMMA RADIATION
GASES
HIGH TEMPERATURE
N40300* --Chemistry--Radiation Chemistry
POWER PLANTS
RADIATION DOSES
RANKINE CYCLE
STABILITY