Brief Analysis of the Simulative Plutonium Aerosol Source-Term in the Circumstance of High Explosive Detonation

Abstract:

The plutonium material in weapons grade nuclear device would be aerosolized and dispersed into the atmosphere if the device was involved in a high explosive detonation. It is significant to investigate the environmental and public hazard caused by the possible dispersion of plutonium. The original work is to determine the source terms of plutonium aerosol in certain nuclear accident scenario. In such scenario the inhalation of plutonium aerosols is the main human hazard source. Only the plutonium aerosols with aerodynamic diameter less than 10 μm are respirable and may ultimately lead to fatal human death. The field detonation test with plutonium by U.S. government is reviewed and the results indicate that for expected high explosive detonation scenario the plutonium source terms are 100 % aerosolization and 20 % respirable fraction. In order to find the aerosolized similarity of plutonium and several conventional metals, two detonation experiments in which the stannum foil and the vanadium powder are used as the replacement of plutonium respectively have been conducted by our group. After the detonation the metal aerosols are collected and analyzed. It has been found that the metallic powder is much easier to be aerosolized than the foil while the integrated aerosol source terms (respirable mass fractions) of stannum and vanadium are quite different with plutonium. Unlike the integrated aerosol data, the differential source terms (cumulative mass fractions via particle size) of the simulative samples are partially similar with plutonium.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 518-523)
• Pages: 946-950
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.518-523.946
• Online since: May 2012
• Authors: Wen Jie Liu, Peng Lai Wang, Zhi Qiang Xiao
• Keywords: High Explosive Detonation, Plutonium Aerosol, Respirable Fraction, Source Term

References

[1] Sutcliffe W G, Condit R H, Mansfield W G et al. A Perspective on the Dangers of Plutonium. UCRL-JC-118825. San Francisco: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 1995.

[2] Martz J C, Haschke J M. A Mechanism for Combustive Heating and Explosive Dispersal of Plutonium. J. Aerosol Sci., Vol. 266, pp.90-103, 1998.

DOI: 10.1016/s0925-8388(97)00498-2

[3] Haschke J M. Evaluation of Source-term Data for Plutonium Aerosolization. LA-12315-MS. Los Alamos: Los Alamos National Laboratory, 1999.

[4] Carson D M. Airborne Release Fraction and Respirable Fraction for Food Pack Cans in Fires. HNT-9209. Hanford Washington, 2000.

DOI: 10.2172/808098

[5] Gelbard F, Murata K K, and McClellan Y. A Review of Plutonium Combustion Releases in Air for Inhalation Hazard Evaluation. SAND2003-3253. Albuquerque: Sandia National Laboratory Report, 2003.

DOI: 10.2172/918274

[6] Shinn J H. Post-Accident Inhalation Exposure and Experience with Plutonium. UCRL-JC-131173. San Francisco: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Report, 1998.

[7] Hinds W C. Aerosol Technology: Properties, Behavior, and Measurement of Airborne Particles. 2nd edition, Wiley, New York, 1999.

[8] DOE Handbook. Airborne Release Fractions/Rates and Respirable Fractions for Nonreactor Nuclear Facilities: Volume I – Analysis of Experimental Data. U.S. Department of Energy, DOE-HDBK-3010-94, Washington D.C., 1994.

[9] Condit R H. Plutonium Dispersal in Fires: Summary of What Is Known. UCRL-2ID-2114164. San Francisco: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 1993.

DOI: 10.2172/10185271

[10] Boughton B A, Delaurentis J M. Description and Validation of ERAD: An Atmospheric Dispersion Model for High Explosive Detonations. SAND92-2069-UC-702. Albuquerque: Sandia National Laboratory, 1992.

DOI: 10.2172/10183822

[11] Hills C R, Chanin D I. Validation Study of Available Models for Consideration of Explosive Releases at Pantex Plant. RPT-30. Amarillo: Pantex Plant, 1998.

[12] Luna R E, Church H W, Shreve J D et al. Variability of Air Sampler data. Atmospheric Environment, 1971, 5:579.

DOI: 10.1016/0004-6981(71)90114-4

[13] Stephens D R. Source Terms for Plutonium Aerosolization from Nuclear Weapon Accidents. UCRL-ID-119303. San Francisco: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Report, 1995.

DOI: 10.2172/109677

[14] Stewart K, Thomas D, Terry J L et al. A Preliminary Evaluation of the Biological Measurements on Operation Roller Coaster. AWRE Report No. O-29/65. Aldermaston: Atomic Weapon Research Establishment Report, 1965.

[15] Steele C M, Wald T L. Plutonium Explosive Dispersal Modeling Using the MACCS2 Computer Code. LA-UR-98-1901. Los Alamos: Los Alamos National Laboratory, 1998.

DOI: 10.2172/677008

[16] Stein S W. Size distribution measurements of metered dose inhalers using Anderson Mark II cascade impactors. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, Vol. 186, pp.43-52, 1999.

DOI: 10.1016/s0378-5173(99)00136-2