Effects Of Radiation

Question 1

Affects of radiation on water

Answer 1

Cause a range of species including neutral molecules, free radicals and charged species
First stage after radiation event is excitation.
Water molecule becomes excited which can form a number of molecules.
Hydrogen, water, hydrogen peroxide

Question 2

2 types of fission in water

Answer 2

Homolytic

Hetrolytic

Question 3

Why are the free radicals produced dangerous

Answer 3

Unstable due to unpaired electrons
Highly reactive e
Can collide causing damage

Question 4

What is TBP

Answer 4

Used as a solvent in reprocessing
Grabs the uranium and settles in the organic phase
Ok is added to lower the density to make the separation faster

Question 5

Affects of radiation on TBP

Answer 5

Can dump energy into bonds which decreases efficiency.
HDBP - less soluble, more polar, less efficient transfer of U
H2MBP - more polar, attaches to Zr, harder to pull
Phosphoric avid - no solubility in layer

Question 6

What’s produced as a result of radiation on TBP

Answer 6

Hydrocarbons formed
Butane gas formed which is flameable
Alcohols formed

Question 7

What does ferrous sulfamate do

Answer 7

Reduces oxidation of Pu from 4 to 3

Question 8

Name the three types of degradation mechanisms in polymers

Answer 8

Scission
Cross linking
Enhanced oxidation

Question 9

Explain scission

Answer 9

Breaking of bonds 
Decrease in molecular weight 
More soluble strength reduced 
Cause embrittlement 
Release H2 gas which increases thermal conductivity 
Build up of H2 gas can cause rupture

Question 10

What is cross linking

Answer 10

Formation of chemical bonds between two adjacent polymer molecules
Increase molecular weight until material bonds into an insoluble 3D network

Question 11

Enhanced oxidation

Answer 11

Oxygen oxygen bonds formed

Loss of strength