EVALUATION OF PROPOSED KRYPTON-XENON ADSORPTION SYSTEM DESIGNS FOR THE PL-2 REACTOR
The proposed design by the Mine Safety Appliance (MSA) Research Corp. of a rare gas handling systend for the PL2 reactor was examined in detail. This system provides for partial removal of radioactive Xe and Kr from air by low temperature (--90 deg F) adsorption on activated C. The estimated off-gas flow treated is five SCFM. Adorption is followed by air dilution of the remaining activity. The proposed design was examined to determine whether the AEC-Army Reactor Branch specifications for the resultant activity could be met and whether the size and weight of the unit could be materially reduced. A parallel search of the literature was made to determine whether other methods could be used to effect the separation Some were found, but the only onc of immediate interest involves condensing the Kr and Xe on activated C at liquid N/sub 2/ temperature. Such a cryogenic system for removing these inert gases from a 2 SCFM recirculating flow of H/sub 2/ was installed for operation on the N. S. Savannah. On the basis of available data and calculations, the effluent from the MSA adsorber will not meet the design activity because there is not enough dilution air to attain a level of 8 x 10/sup -13/ mu c/ml for Kr/sup 85/. The resultant activity was 38% greater. Added dilution capacity would correct this deficiency. MSA research personnel, in their design considerations, apparently neglected Kr/ sup 85/ released directly from the fuel elements. Their only concern was with the Kr/sup 85/ which is a daughter product of Kr/sup 85m/. Neither will the effluent meet release criteria if 1% of the equilibrium activity of the PL-2 reactor (7.48 MW) is released to the adsorber over a period of 1 min while the flow of carrier gas remains undiminished. Recommendations for further research are included. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Harvard Univ., Boston. Air Cleaning Lab.
- DOE Contract Number:
- AT(30-1)-841
- NSA Number:
- NSA-16-030090
- OSTI ID:
- 4771874
- Report Number(s):
- NYO-4815
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-62
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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