Experimental study using the transpiration method investigates equilibrium evaporation behavior of radionuclide polonium (210Po) generated and accumulated in liquid lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) cooled nuclear systems. The experiment consists of two series of tests: preliminary evaporation tests for homologue element tellurium (Te) in LBE, and evaporation tests for 210Po-accumulated LBE in which test specimens are prepared by neutron irradiation. The evaporation tests of Te in LBE provide the suggestion that Te exists in a chemical form of PbTe as well as the information for confirming the validity of technique and conditions of Po test. From the evaporation tests of 210Po in LBE, we obtain fundamental data and empirical equations such as 210Po vapor concentration in the gas phase, 210Po partial vapor pressure, thermodynamic activity coefficients, and gas-liquid equilibrium partition coefficients of 210Po in LBE in the temperature range from 450 to 750°C. Additionally, radioactivity concentration of 210Po and 210mBi vapor in a cover gas region of a typical LBE-cooled nuclear system is specifically estimated based on the obtained experimental results, and the importance of 210Po evaporation behavior is quantitatively demonstrated.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Ohno et al. (2006) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: