RADIATION PROCESSING Report No. 5 Cobalt-60 Gamma Irradiation of Uranium and Hydrocarbons

摘要

Gamma radiation from a cobalt-60 source was used to react uranium, uranium hydride and uranium oxide with propane and other hydrocarbons in an attempt to form uranium monocarbide. A series of survey experiments were undertaken to determine the effect of temperature, concentration, and total dose. The carbide concentration was determined by chemical and X-ray analysis. With propane gas in excess of stoichiometric quantity, and at pressures up to 7_ atm and room temperature, the conversion to carbide varied between 0.6% and a maximum of 5.0%. Increasing the hydrocarbon concentration to five times the stoichiometric amount had no effect on the yield through a range of radiation doses up to 80 million rads. At 350°C in the absence of radiation a conversion in the order of 5% was observed;the addition of the gamma radiation at 350°C gave no apparent increase in conversion.