Release Estimation - h3010v10292

DOE-HDBK-3010-94

7.0 Application Examples; Liquid Storage and Ion Exchange Examples

4. The process should not be interrupted for a long period of time when strong nitric

acid or radioactive metals are in the column, conditions that could accelerate

degradation of resin;

5. The ion exchange column should be vented at all times as ignition temperature

decreases in a closed system; and

6. Service life limits for resin in the column should be specified based on chemical

and radiological loading to prevent use of degraded resin (e.g., total of 108 rad over

service life).

7.3.6.2

Release Estimation

The only new potential energetic phenomenon presented by this example is the resin

exotherm.

A. Resin Exotherm. The first step in assessing potential releases is to decide upon

an appropriate model for the event among at least four theoretical models. The first

is a propagating detonation in the condensed (resin-liquid) phase. The second is

formation of highly unstable compounds, such as ammonium nitrate, which can

decompose explosively. The third model is a deflagration or detonation in gases

generated by the exotherm. Nitrogen oxide fumes can be detonated under the right

circumstances with hydrogen or other organic vapors, and some tests have shown

decomposition reactions can generate ignitable vapors of trimethyl amine and methyl

nitrate. The last model is exothermic resin degradation reactions, including the

recombination of plutonium with nitrate, generating heat sufficient enough that a

pressure buildup leads to the onset of structural failure. Numerous references discuss

actual incidents and potential phenomena.

As will be discussed in the assessment of this example, exactness in choosing a model

is not as important as it may seem. For now, the history of actual incidents and

investigations will be used to select a model. The level of damage that would be

associated with a condensed phase detonation, which would have the same affect as a

given quantity of TNT, has not been historically observed. The theory does not have

general acceptance as an accurate explanation, and was specifically rejected in the

investigation of the 1976 Hanford exotherm incident with the following rationale

(ERDA Richland report, 1976):

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