Interaction of an iridium-clad RTG heat source unit with a simulated terrestrial environment. [/sup 238/PuO/sub 2/]
An iridium-clad, 100-W /sup 238/PuO/sub 2/ sphere, a prototype for the multihundred-watt radioisotope thermoelectric generator, was exposed for 1 y to a simulated temperate humid climate in an environmental test chamber containing sandy soil. The hot sphere sank into the soil after the first rain, then gradually acquired a hard crust around it as a result of the rainwater reacting with the hot soil during successive rains. Time and temperature profiles of the sphere were recorded during the weekly rains, and the air and rainwater that percolated through the soil were monitored for plutonium. No plutonium was released from the sphere. Aside from the crust formation, very little reaction occurred between the hot iridium shell and the soil.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- OSTI ID:
- 7284823
- Report Number(s):
- LA-6255; TRN: 76-014276
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Long-term exposure of /sup 238/PuO/sub 2/ to a terrestrial environment
Long-term exposure of /sup 238/PuO/sub 2/ to a terrestrial environment. Volume III
Related Subjects
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
PLUTONIUM 238
RADIOISOTOPE HEAT SOURCES
IMPACT TESTS
SAFETY
CAPSULES
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
IRIDIUM
PLUTONIUM DIOXIDE
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
THERMOELECTRIC GENERATORS
ACTINIDE COMPOUNDS
ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CHALCOGENIDES
CONTAINERS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ECOSYSTEMS
ELEMENTS
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
HEAT SOURCES
HEAVY NUCLEI
ISOTOPES
MATERIALS TESTING
MECHANICAL TESTS
METALS
NUCLEI
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLATINUM METALS
PLUTONIUM COMPOUNDS
PLUTONIUM ISOTOPES
PLUTONIUM OXIDES
RADIOISOTOPES
REFRACTORY METALS
TESTING
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
TRANSURANIUM COMPOUNDS
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
070300* - Isotopic Power Supplies
300300 - Thermoelectric Generators