Table 2.8. Potential Hazards or Damage to Materials from Exposure to Radiation

DOE-STD-1128-98

Guide of Good Practices for Occupational Radiological Protection in Plutonium Facilities

Table 2.8. Potential Hazards or Damage to Materials from Exposure to Radiation

Radiation-Induced Reaction

Potential Hazard or Damage Problem

Radiolysis of oxygen-contaminated glovebox

Production of ozone-damage to elastomers: gloves, seals,

atmospheres

etc.

Gaseous PuF6

Deposition of solid PuF4 on equipment

PuO2 exposed to hydrocarbons or humid

Production of hydrogen gas-pressure buildup in nonvented

environments

containers.

Damaged resin can react violently with HNO3 or other

Ion exchange resins

oxidizers. Also may result in hydrogen gas-pressure

buildup.

CCl4 saturated with H2O

Production of Cl2. C2Cl6 HCl, and phosgene.

Polyethylene

Disintegrates with production of H2.

Polyvinylchloride (PVC) plastics

Disintegrates with production of HCl-corrosion.

Tri-n-butylphosphate

Production of hydrogen and oxygen-pressure buildup in

nonvented containers.

Aqueous plutonium solutions

Production of polymeric plutonium hydroxide (plutonium

polymer), which plates out on vessel surfaces and piping,

producing swelling, cracking, loss of ductility.

Low-acidity plutonium solutions

Increase in leachability.

It would be futile and inappropriate to list, let alone discuss, all the possible radiolytic

reactions affecting plutonium-handling. However, it is important to recognize the

potential for and anticipate the consequences of these reactions. The following sections

cover a broad range of the types of radiation-induced damage common to plutonium-

handling.

2.5.2.1 Hydrogen Production

The G-value for the production of H2 by the alpha radiolysis of pure water is

1.90.1 molecules of hydrogen per 100 eV (Prevost-Brnas et al., 1952).

Cleveland (1970) calculates that the energy released in 0.001M (0.24 g/L) of

plutonium solution is on the order of 2 x 1014 eV per minute. Thus, the hydrogen

evolution would be approximately 3.8 x 1015 molecules per liter per day for a 1M

solution, or about 73 cm3 of hydrogen per year.

The G-values for H2 in solids irradiated by gamma rays are lower: 0.1 for ice

(Johnson, 1970) and 0.01 for the hydrates of a large number of sulfates (Huang

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