Post-encapsulation plutonia reduction for Galileo and Ulysses GPHS modules: The module reduction and monitoring facility (MRMF)

Conference · Thu Jan 10 00:00:00 EST 1991 · AIP Conference Proceedings (American Institute of Physics); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.39988· OSTI ID:5255346

Johnson, E W ^[1]

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1. Lamb Associates, Inc. for EG G Mound Applied Technologies, P.O. Box 3000, Miamisburgh, Ohio (USA)

In heat source systems of the type C/Ir/PuO{sub 2}, ingrowth of CO and CO{sub 2} is evident. This is due to a cyclical reaction between the C and PuO{sub 2} constituents. Gas tap results show that repeated exchanges using a pure inert gas backfill reduces the CO/CO{sub 2} ingrowth rate. Also, the temperatures experienced during Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) processing reduces further the effect such that normal RTG storage temperatures do not result in this deleterious effect. A 36-station vacuum/inert gas manifold has been developed at Mound Facility to serve as a Module Reduction and Monitoring Facility (MRMF) for up to 68 GPHS-type heat source modules. This method of storage effectively prevented atmospheric contamination of modules while reducing the CO/CO{sub 2} ingrowth rate. This paper describes in detail the theoretical, practical, facility, and quality/reliability aspects of this processing facility that has supported the Galileo and Ulysses RTG programs.

• OSTI ID: 5255346
• Report Number(s): CONF-910116-; CODEN: APCPC; TRN: 91-027132
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings (American Institute of Physics); (United States), Vol. 217:3; Conference: 8. symposium on space nuclear power systems, Albuquerque, NM (United States), 6-10 Jan 1991; ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

07 ISOTOPES AND RADIATION SOURCES
PLUTONIUM OXIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
RADIOISOTOPE HEAT SOURCES
ENCAPSULATION
CARBON
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON MONOXIDE
CHEMICAL REACTION YIELD
CONTAINMENT SHELLS
IRIDIUM
RELIABILITY
SPACE VEHICLES
THERMOELECTRIC GENERATORS
ACTINIDE COMPOUNDS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CONTAINMENT
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELEMENTS
HEAT SOURCES
METALS
NONMETALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLATINUM METALS
PLUTONIUM COMPOUNDS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
TRANSURANIUM COMPOUNDS
VEHICLES
YIELDS
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
070300* - Isotopic Power Supplies