Behavior of oxygen partial pressure over slightly substoichiometric plutonia at 1410/sup 0/K
Monsanto Research Corporation is charged with processing encapsulated plutonium dioxide heat sources into radioisotopic thermoelectric generators (RTGs) to support deep-space missions. One of the problems associated with the sometimes protracted ground storage of these devices is the ingrowth of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide in the gas phase due to the cyclical reaction established between the fuel (/sup 238/PuO/sub 2/) and the carbon impact body. This ingrowth proceeds according to the two equations: x(CO) + = x(CO/sub 2/) + < PuO/sub 2-x/ and x(CO/sub 2/) + x < C > = 2x(CO), etc. To reduce this effect, a gas management system was instituted that enabled periodic removal of the generated CO and CO/sub 2/ with replacement by argon. The removal of these components was monitored and permitted an assessment of the degree of substoichiometry as well as its effect on the chemical activity of the CO and CO/sub 2/. This in turn was used to estimate the oxygen activity and to calculate ..delta.. anti G(O/sub 2/) as a function of stoichiometry.
- Research Organization:
- Mound Plant (MOUND), Miamisburg, OH (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00053
- OSTI ID:
- 5096006
- Report Number(s):
- MLM-2980; ON: DE82021998
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Post-encapsulation plutonia reduction for Galileo and Ulysses GPHS modules: The Module Reduction and Monitoring Facility (MRMF)
Post-encapsulation plutonia reduction for Galileo and Ulysses GPHS modules: The module reduction and monitoring facility (MRMF)
Related Subjects
COVER GAS
REMOVAL
PLUTONIUM 238
RADIOISOTOPE HEAT SOURCES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
STORAGE
THERMOELECTRIC GENERATORS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON MONOXIDE
GRAPHITE
SPACECRAFT POWER SUPPLIES
VERY HIGH TEMPERATURE
ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CARBON
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
ELEMENTAL MINERALS
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
FLUIDS
GASES
HEAT SOURCES
HEAVY NUCLEI
INERT ATMOSPHERE
ISOTOPES
MINERALS
NONMETALS
NUCLEI
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLUTONIUM ISOTOPES
POWER SUPPLIES
RADIOISOTOPES
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
070300* - Isotopic Power Supplies