Gas Generation Measurements of Scrap Pu/U Materials Using a Bell Jar

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve J. Hensel ◽  
Jonathan R. Kies ◽  
Rosa D. Hill ◽  
Robert W. Watkins
Keyword(s):  
Magnesium Oxide ◽  
Uranium Oxide ◽  
Minimal Change ◽  
Pressure Increase ◽  
Gas Generation ◽  
Containment Vessel ◽  
Bearing Materials

A bell jar is used to determine containment vessel pressurization due to gas generation from plutonium/uranium materials. Seventy eight food pack cans containing plutonium and uranium oxide bearing materials have been tested to date. Minimal change in pressure (increase or decrease) occurred in fifty one cases, depressurization occurred in seventeen cases, and pressurization occurred in ten cases. Pressurization is considered linked to the presence of certain impurities such as magnesium oxide.

Test Results Using a Bell Jar to Measure Containment Vessel Pressurization

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. J. Hensel ◽  
G. C. Rodrigues
Keyword(s):  
Direct Contact ◽  
Uranium Oxide ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Linear Extrapolation ◽  
Shipping Container ◽  
Containment Vessel ◽  
Bearing Materials ◽  
Enriched Uranium ◽  
One Year

A bell jar is used to determine containment vessel pressurization due to outgassing of plutonium materials. Fifteen food cans containing plutonium bearing materials, including plutonium packaged in direct contact with plastic and plutonium contaminated enriched uranium oxide have been tested to date. As expected, minimal pressurization occurs and in some cases a slight depressurization has been observed. Linear extrapolation of the greatest pressurization observed in the bell jar to a typical drum shipping container (such as a 9975) has been performed. Pressurization from this particular can packaged for one year in a 9975 container is negligible.

A Pre-Shipment Gas Generation Test Using a Bell Jar

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. C. Rodrigues ◽  
S. J. Hensel
Keyword(s):  
Savannah River Site ◽  
Statistical Sampling ◽  
Savannah River ◽  
Gas Generation ◽  
Shipping Container ◽  
Containment Vessel ◽  
Bearing Materials ◽  
Similar Materials ◽  
River Site ◽  
Generation Test

The primary purpose of a bell jar is to collect and measure out gassing from a container (e.g., food can) of plutonium bearing materials to evaluate potential pressurization within a shipping package containment vessel. The bell jar allows for testing of the actual cans to be shipped without repackaging or taking samples of the materials. Pressurization of the bell jar can be readily extrapolated to the conditions inside the shipping container containment vessel during a shipment. Bell jar testing is being used in conjunction with current plutonium surveillance techniques (lid deflection measuring) to demonstrate that the cans bearing plutonium material may be shipped safely across the Savannah River Site for processing. Statistical sampling of similar materials leverages the testing such that only population subsets need be tested. The pressurization (or depressurization) measured in the bell jar to date has been very small and of no concern from a shipping perspective.

scholarly journals Flammability Analysis for Actinide Oxides Packaged in 9975 Shipping Containers

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
James E. Laurinat ◽  
Neal M. Askew ◽  
Steve J. Hensel
Keyword(s):  
Particle Deposition ◽  
Uranium Oxide ◽  
Hydrogen Generation ◽  
Geometric Model ◽  
Gas Generation ◽  
Safety Requirements ◽  
Plastic Bottle ◽  
Shipping Containers ◽  
Actinide Oxides ◽  
Gas Pressures

Packaging options are evaluated for compliance with safety requirements for shipment of mixed actinide oxides packaged in a 9975 Primary Containment Vessel (PCV). Radiolytic gas generation rates, PCV internal gas pressures, and shipping windows (times to reach unacceptable gas compositions or pressures after closure of the PCV) are calculated for shipment of a 9975 PCV containing a plastic bottle filled with plutonium and uranium oxides with a selected isotopic composition. G-values for radiolytic hydrogen generation from adsorbed moisture are estimated from the results of gas generation tests for plutonium oxide and uranium oxide doped with curium-244. The radiolytic generation of hydrogen from the plastic bottle is calculated using a geometric model for alpha particle deposition in the bottle wall. The temperature of the PCV during shipment is estimated from the results of finite element heat transfer analyses.

scholarly journals Analysis of the Pressure Transient and Burst Pressure for Exposure of the 9975 Primary Containment Vessel to Fire

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
James E. Laurinat ◽  
Neal M. Askew ◽  
Steve J. Hensel ◽  
Narendra K. Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Savannah River Site ◽  
Burst Pressure ◽  
Packaging Materials ◽  
Savannah River ◽  
Gas Generation ◽  
Pressure Transient ◽  
Plastic Packaging ◽  
Containment Vessel ◽  
Rupture Pressure ◽  
River Site

Bare shipping package containment vessels can be utilized to stage plutonium oxide at the Savannah River Site. Pressurization and subsequent release could occur due to a hypothetical facility fire. Pressurization due to adsorbed moisture on the plutonium oxide and plastic packaging materials could result in rupture of the containment vessel. The containment vessel was evaluated to determine rupture pressure when subjected to the fire conditions. The rupture pressure is compared with pressures developed due to radiolytic gas generation.

Pu-Bearing Materials - From Fundamental Science To Storage Standards

2008 ◽  
Vol 1104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shiu-Wing Tam ◽  
Yung Liu
Keyword(s):  
Electronic Structure ◽  
Ab Initio ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Confined Space ◽  
Gas Generation ◽  
Oxygen Generation ◽  
Long Term Stability ◽  
Bearing Materials

AbstractThe behavior of plutonium (Pu) oxides in the presence of water/moisture in a confined space and the associated issues of hydrogen and oxygen generation due to radiolysis have important implications for the storage and transportation of Pu-bearing materials. This paper reviews the results of recent studies of gas generation in the Pu-O-H system, including the determination of release rates via engineering-scale measurement. The observations of the significant differences in gas generation behavior between “pure” Pu-bearing materials and those that contain salt impurities are addressed. In conjunction with the discussion of these empirical observations, the work also addresses recent scientific advances in the investigations of the Pu-O-H system using state-of-the-art ab initio electronic structure calculations, as well as advanced synchrotron techniques to determine the electronic structure of the various Pu-containing phases. The role of oxidizing species such as the hydroxyl radical from the radiolysis of water is examined. Discussed also is the challenge in the predictive ab-initio calculations of the electronic structure of the Pu-H-O system, due to the nature of the 5f valence electrons in Pu. Coupled with the continuing material surveillance program, it is anticipated that this work may help determine the electronic structure of the various Pu-containing phases and the role of impurity salts on gas generation and the long-term stability of oxygen/hydrogen-containing plutonium oxides beyond PuO2.

Gas Analysis of Plutonium Materials Tested in a Bell Jar

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve J. Hensel ◽  
Jonathan R. Kies
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Nitrous Oxide ◽  
Oxygen Depletion ◽  
Savannah River Site ◽  
Gas Analysis ◽  
Savannah River ◽  
Gas Generation ◽  
Bearing Materials ◽  
River Site ◽  
Methane Carbon

Seventy cans containing plutonium bearing materials have been tested for gas generation in bell jars at the Savannah River Site (SRS). Gas samples from five of the tests were taken and analyzed for hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, methane, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrous oxide. Gas samples from all five cans showed significant oxygen consumption. Hydrogen and carbon dioxide were found in non-negligible quantities in all gas samples. Hydrogen and carbon dioxide generation rates are presented along with oxygen depletion rates. A description of the plutonium bearing materials is also provided.

Observations of the Thermal Decomposition of Brucite

1968 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 446-447
Author(s):  
P. L. Burnett ◽  
W. R. Mitchell ◽  
C. L. Houck
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Decomposition ◽  
Magnesium Oxide ◽  
Basal Plane ◽  
Magnesium Ions ◽  
A Value ◽  
Reaction Proceeds

Natural Brucite (Mg(OH)2) decomposes on heating to form magnesium oxide (MgO) having its cubic ﹛110﹜ and ﹛111﹜ planes respectively parallel to the prism and basal planes of the hexagonal brucite lattice. Although the crystal-lographic relation between the parent brucite crystal and the resulting mag-nesium oxide crystallites is well known, the exact mechanism by which the reaction proceeds is still a matter of controversy. Goodman described the decomposition as an initial shrinkage in the brucite basal plane allowing magnesium ions to shift their original sites to the required magnesium oxide positions followed by a collapse of the planes along the original <0001> direction of the brucite crystal. He noted that the (110) diffraction spots of brucite immediately shifted to the positions required for the (220) reflections of magnesium oxide. Gordon observed separate diffraction spots for the (110) brucite and (220) magnesium oxide planes. The positions of the (110) and (100) brucite never changed but only diminished in intensity while the (220) planes of magnesium shifted from a value larger than the listed ASTM d spacing to the predicted value as the decomposition progressed.

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