A model of gas generation and transport within TRU (transuranic) waste drums
Gas generation from the radiolytic decomposition of organic material contaminated with plutonium is modeled. Concentrations of gas throughout the waste drum are determined using a diffusional transport model. The model accurately reproduces experimentally measured gas concentrations. With polyethylene waste in unvented drums, the model predicts that hydrogen gas can accumulate to concentrations greater than 4 mole percent (lower flammable limit) with about 5 Ci of plutonium. Polyethylene provides a worst case for combustible waste material. If the drum liner is punctured and a carbon composite filter vent is installed in the drum lid, the plutonium loading can be increased to 240 Ci without generating flammable gas mixtures. 5 refs., 7 figs., 4 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Savannah River Lab., Aiken, SC (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC09-76SR00001
- OSTI ID:
- 6206217
- Report Number(s):
- DP-MS-86-213; CONF-870306-63; ON: DE87013044
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Waste management '87, Tucson, AZ, USA, 1 Mar 1987; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
ALPHA-BEARING WASTES
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
SAFETY
CASKS
DIFFUSION
FLAMMABILITY
GAS PRODUCTION RATES
HYDROGEN
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
ORGANIC MATTER
PLUTONIUM
POLYETHYLENES
RADIOLYSIS
VENTILATION
ACTINIDES
CHEMICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
COMBUSTION PROPERTIES
CONTAINERS
DECOMPOSITION
ELEMENTS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
METALS
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
POLYMERS
POLYOLEFINS
RADIATION CHEMISTRY
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
SIMULATION
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
052002* - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Disposal & Storage
054000 - Nuclear Fuels- Health & Safety