Radioactivity Release from Radionuclide Power Sources. IX. Release from Thulium-170/171 Oxide and Promethium-147 Oxide to Seawater

摘要

In the event that a radioisotope-fueled SNAP (Systems for Nuclear Auxiliary Power) unit is placed accidentally in an ocean environment the potential release of the radioisotopic fuel material to the ocean environment may generate a radiological hazard. Studies of the nature and extent of such a release are required for assessment of the magnitude of the radiological hazard. The present report describes the dissolution behavior of two other candidate fuels, thulium-170/171 oxide and promethium-147 oxide, in seawater and in seawater-ocean-bottom material mixtures. Plots of the amounts of Pm2O3 and Tm2O3 released to seawater are presented. (Author)