Polychloroprene (Elastomer, Rubber)

DOE-HDBK-3010-94

5.0 Surface Contamination; Contaminated, Combustible Solids

5.2.1.4.1 Polychloroprene (Elastomer, Rubber). Five experiments were conducted

using plutonium nitrate and rubber from surgeon's gloves (Mishima and Schwendiman,

October 1970) and five experiments were performed using PC contaminated with DUO

powder, UNH liquid and air dried UNH (Halverson, Ballinger and Dennis, March 1987).

Experimental results are reproduced in Tables A.48, A.50, and A.51 in Appendix A and the

relevant data summarized in Table 5-3. The bounding ARF for the limited data set is 4E-2

(3.5E-2 rounded upward). The single RF value, 0.16, was determined for a different set of

conditions than the largest ARF value. The median value is 4E-3 with an average of 7E-3.

Table 5-3. Measured ARFs from Burning Contaminated PC

(Table A.1 - Halverson, Ballinger and Dennis, March 1987,

Table II - Mishima and Schwendiman, October 1970)

Burn Time, min

Composition

ARF

5 g rubber, Pu nitrate

7.0E-4

---

5 g rubber, Pu nitrate

1.9E-3

---

5 g rubber, Pu nitrate

2.0E-4

---

7.2

5 g rubber, Pu nitrate

8.0E-4

---

6.2

5 g rubber, Pu nitrate

6.2E-3

---

7.5

DUO powder

1.0E-2

---

10.0

DUO powder

8.0E-3

---

15.7

DUO powder

3.7E-3

0.16

9.0

UNH liquid

3.5E-2

---

7.5

a.d. UNH

4.2E-3

---

5.2.1.4.2 Polymethylmethacrylate (Lucite/Perspex, Windows). Thirteen

experiments were performed to measure the ARF from burning contaminated PMMA. All

three forms of uranium compounds were tested using granular PMMA. One experiment

measured the aerodynamic entrainment from DUO powder mixed with PMMA. Tests were

performed, varying the location of the contaminant as follows: (1) powder mixed with the

PMMA; (2) a thick layer of powder on the surface; and (3) a pile of powder on the surface;

and (4) the powder under the PMMA. The results are reproduced in Tables A.50 and A.53

in Appendix A with the relevant data summarized in Table 5-4.

The highest measured ARF is 5E-2 (4.5E-2 rounded upward). The highest measured ARF

using UNH was 2E-2. The highest RF measured, 0.95 was associated with an ARF of

1.9E-2, not far below the maximum ARF value. The single ARF measured using air dried

UNH is within the range of values for UNH liquid. The median value for all ARFs is 3E-2

with an average value of 3E-2 (2.5E-2 rounded upward). The median values for DUO and

UNH are 4E-2 and 1E-2, respectively. In keeping with the selection of conservative values,

an ARF of 5E-2 and a RF of 1.0 are assessed to be bounding.

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