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5 - Plutonium

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 September 2009

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Summary

5.1 Formation of plutonium aerosols

Plutonium is a man-made element, and only infinitesimal traces occur naturally. It melts at 641°C and boils at 3330°C. 239Pu is formed in nuclear reactors by neutron capture in 238U, followed by two successive beta decays (Fig. 5.1). Further neutron captures lead to 240Pu and 241Pu. 238Pu is formed from 239Pu by (n,2n) reactions, or from 235U by three successive neutron captures and two beta decays. Table 5.1 shows the half-lives, alpha and X-ray energies of the principal Pu isotopes.

Plutonium aerosols can be formed in various ways, including:

  1. (a) Oxidation or volatilisation of Pu metal.

  2. (b) Oxidation or volatilisation of irradiated U or UO2.

  3. (c) Droplet dispersion from aqueous solutions or suspensions of Pu.

  4. (d) Resuspension of soil or dust which has become contaminated with Pu.

The particle size of Pu aerosols is very variable, depending on the mode of formation. In Fig. 5.2, curves A, B and C show size spectra obtained by Carter & Stewart (1971) in laboratory experiments on the oxidation of Pu metal in air. In controlled oxidation at temperatures below the ignition point (about 500°C), scaly, friable, oxide particles were produced, with median diameter increasing with temperature. Few particles less than 1 μm in diameter were found. When the delta alloy of Pu was used, the oxide was more adherent, and the particle size larger.

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Radioactive Aerosols , pp. 170 - 192
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 1991

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  • Plutonium
  • A. C. Chamberlain
  • Book: Radioactive Aerosols
  • Online publication: 12 September 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511524820.006
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  • Plutonium
  • A. C. Chamberlain
  • Book: Radioactive Aerosols
  • Online publication: 12 September 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511524820.006
Available formats
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To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Plutonium
  • A. C. Chamberlain
  • Book: Radioactive Aerosols
  • Online publication: 12 September 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511524820.006
Available formats
×