Pattern of explosive reaction between uranium hexafluoride and hydrocarbon oils. Revision 1
Examination of uranium hexafluoride release incidents occurring over the past three decades of ORGDP experience has identified only four which apparently involved an explosion of a container resulting from reaction between uranium hexafluoride and an impurity. These four incidents exhibit a certain degree of commonality. Each has involved: (1) condensed phase uranium hexafluoride, (2) a moderately elevated temperature, (3) a sufficient quantity of uranium hexafluoride for a significant partial pressure to be maintained independently above that which can be consumed by chemical reaction, and (4) an organic liquid (probably hydrocarbon oil) accidentally present in the container as a contaminant. The purpose of this investigative search was to establish some conditional pattern for these four incidents to which their violent consequences could be attributed. Fortunately, the number of such incidents is relatively small, which emphasizes even more pointedly the unfortunate fact that documentation ranges from thorough to very limited. Documented sources of information are given in the bibliography. Copies of those which are not readily available are contained in six appendices. 8 refs.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant (K-25), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OT21400
- OSTI ID:
- 6262663
- Report Number(s):
- K/GD-1631-Rev.1; ON: DE86007922
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Investigation of a uranium hexafluoride release incident on September 17, 1975 in the K-1423 Toll Enrichment Facility (U). Revision 1
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Related Subjects
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
HYDROCARBONS
EXPLOSIONS
OILS
URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE
ACCIDENTS
COLD TRAPS
CONTAINERS
IMPURITIES
ORGDP
ACTINIDE COMPOUNDS
CONDENSERS
FLUORIDES
FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
GASEOUS DIFFUSION PLANTS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
ISOTOPE SEPARATION PLANTS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
TRAPS
URANIUM COMPOUNDS
URANIUM FLUORIDES
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
VAPOR CONDENSERS
050700* - Nuclear Fuels- Fuels Production & Properties
570000 - Health & Safety