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Title: Containment of /sup 220/Rn via adsorption on molecular sieves for HTGR--OGCS

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7255859· OSTI ID:7255859

Radon-220 emission presents a potential problem in the reprocessing of nuclear fuels containing /sup 232/U or /sup 232/Th. We have examined a number of molecular sieve substrates capable of delaying this short-lived, gaseous radioisotope and have found that a synthetic hydrogen mordenite is most suitable in attaining decontamination factors (DF's) greater than 10/sup 2/ in a carbon dioxide atmosphere. Low concentrations of NO/sub 2/, SO/sub 2/, I/sub 2/, Kr, Xe, and NH/sub 4/CO/sub 2/NH/sub 2/ have little detectable effect. Moisture, however, causes progressive decrease in the ability of the molecular sieve to delay /sup 220/Rn. This effect is temporary; regeneration of the bed removes water and restores its ability to delay /sup 220/Rn. In laboratory scale experiments, an average DF of 1.5 x 10/sup 3/ was attained with a 3.05-m bed at 12.8 m/min. No evidence was found to indicate that significant transport of /sup 220/Rn daughters from the molecular sieve occurs.

Research Organization:
Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
EY-76-C-07-1375
OSTI ID:
7255859
Report Number(s):
ICP-1114; TRN: 77-013782
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English