Document Details
PURL
(709 K)
Title:
Purex Technical Manual, Part V: Safety - Chapter XXIII. Critical Mass Control
Author(s):
Merrill, E. T. [General Electric Co., Richland, WA (United States). Hanford Atomic Products Operation]
Subject Terms:
Purex
Document Type:
REPORT
Publication Date:
1955 Mar 25
Declassification Date:
2003 Jul 01
Declassification Status:
Declassified
Document Pages:
17 p.
Accession Number:
RL-1-359829
Document Number(s):
HW-31000-CHAPXXIII-DEL; HW-31000-CH23-DEL
Originating Research Org.:
General Electric Co., Richland, WA (United States). Hanford Atomic Products Operation
OpenNet Entry Date:
2015 Aug 18
OpenNet Modified Date:
2023 Oct 26
Description/Abstract:
The main plutonium isotope, Pu-239, and the uranium isotope U-235 are both capable of self-sustained nuclear-fission reactions. Although both of these nuclides are handled in the Purex process, a chain reaction of U-235, which is invariably associated with neutron-absorbing U-238, is impossible under the conditions of the Purex process. This chapter, therefore, deals only with Pu-239 critical mass control.