The documented safety analysis for the Savannah River Site evaluates the consequences of a postulated 1000 °C fire in a glovebox. The radiological dose consequences for a pressurized release of plutonium oxide powder during such a fire depend on the maximum pressure that is attained inside the oxide storage vial. To enable evaluation of the dose consequences, pressure transients and venting flow rates have been calculated for exposure of the storage vial to the fire. A standard B vial with a capacity of approximately 8 cm3 was selected for analysis. The analysis compares the pressurization rate from heating and evaporation of moisture adsorbed onto the plutonium oxide contents of the vial with the pressure loss due to venting of gas through the threaded connection between the vial cap and body. Tabulated results from the analysis include maximum pressures, maximum venting velocities, and cumulative vial volumes vented during the first 10 minutes of the fire transient. Results are obtained for various amounts of oxide in the vial, various amounts of adsorbed moisture, different vial orientations, and different surface fire exposures.
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ASME 2015 Pressure Vessels and Piping Conference
July 19–23, 2015
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Conference Sponsors:
- Pressure Vessels and Piping Division
ISBN:
978-0-7918-5702-1
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
Analysis of Pressurization of Plutonium Oxide Storage Vials During a Postulated Fire
James E. Laurinat,
James E. Laurinat
Savannah River National Laboratory, Aiken, SC
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Matthew R. Kesterson,
Matthew R. Kesterson
Savannah River National Laboratory, Aiken, SC
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Steve J. Hensel
Steve J. Hensel
Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, Aiken, SC
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James E. Laurinat
Savannah River National Laboratory, Aiken, SC
Matthew R. Kesterson
Savannah River National Laboratory, Aiken, SC
Steve J. Hensel
Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, Aiken, SC
Paper No:
PVP2015-45239, V007T07A037; 10 pages
Published Online:
November 19, 2015
Citation
Laurinat, JE, Kesterson, MR, & Hensel, SJ. "Analysis of Pressurization of Plutonium Oxide Storage Vials During a Postulated Fire." Proceedings of the ASME 2015 Pressure Vessels and Piping Conference. Volume 7: Operations, Applications and Components. Boston, Massachusetts, USA. July 19–23, 2015. V007T07A037. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/PVP2015-45239
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