Reaction rates and prediction of thermal instability during aluminum alloy 6061 dissolution
Here, chemical kinetics of dissolution of aluminum alloy 6061 was investigated for the processing of Pu-238 for deep space missions. The rate of dissolution was measured by the heat release and appeared to be controlled by the rate of release of Al(OH) 4 – from the metal surface. Rates of reaction were measured from 273 to 365 K, giving an activation energy of 72 ± 13 kJ•(mol Al) –1 and a pre-exponential factor of 5 ± 3 × 10 9 dm 3mol –1min –1. Minor alloying elements did not appear to affect the reaction kinetics. The average heat of dissolution was –360 ± 70 kJ•(mol NaAlO 2) –1. When extrapolated to an infinitely dilute solution of aluminum, kJ•(mol NaAlO 2) –1.
- Publication Date:
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC05-00OR22725
- Type:
- Accepted Manuscript
- Journal Name:
- Separation Science and Technology
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Volume: 53; Journal Issue: 12; Journal ID: ISSN 0149-6395
- Publisher:
- Taylor & Francis
- Research Org:
- Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Org:
- USDOE
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY; Aluminum alloy 6061 dissolution; kinetics of aluminum dissolution; neptunium target cladding dissolution; plutonium-238 production
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1440837