Apparatus for Dynamic Measurement of Gases Released from Materials Heated under Programmed Temperature-Time Control

摘要

This apparatus, a prototype of one being constructed for hotcell examination of irradiated nuclear materials, measures dynamic release rates and integrated volumes of individual gases from materials heated under controlled temperature-time programs. It consists of an inductively heated vacuum furnace connected to a quadrupole mass spectrometer. A computerized control system with data acquisition provides scanning rates down to 1s and on-line tabular and graphic displays. Heating rates are up to 1300 exp 0 C/min to a maximum temperature of 2000 exp 0 C. The measurement range is about 10 exp -6 to 10 exp -2 torr-liter/s for H sub 2 , CH sub 4 , H sub 2 O, N sub 2 , and CO and 10 exp -8 to 10 exp -2 torr-liter/s for He, Kr, and Xe. Applications are described for measurements of Kr and Xe in mixed oxide fuel, various gases in UO sub 2 pellets, and He in exp 238 PuO sub 2 power and heat sources.