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Deuterium permeation properties of beta-irradiated and unirradiated poly(vinyl alcohol) and polystyrene shells

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6177149

We measured the permeability of IF fuel shells made of poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and polystyrene (PS) with deutrium. Activation energies were determined using permeability coefficients measured over the temperature range 25 to 100/sup 0/C for PVA, and minus 100 to 20/sup 0/C for PS shells. We then exposed this same batch of shells to intense beta-irradiation from tritium and repeated the permeation measurements. Comparing permeabilities of the same shells before and after irradiation, we obtained a measure of the effect beta-irradiation has on fuel retention characteristics of the polymers. Our results show that irradiation does change the permeability of PVA, while the permeability of irradiated PS is relatively unchanged. 3 refs., 6 figs.

Research Organization:
KMS Fusion, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC08-82DP40152
OSTI ID:
6177149
Report Number(s):
KMSF-U-1620; CONF-851174-32; ON: DE86006485
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English