Radiolysis of acid water (0.4 M H2SO4) at elevated temperatures with fast neutrons and proton beam

To elucidate the G-values of water decomposition products at elevated temperatures up to 270oC, radiolysis of acid water, 0.4 M H2SO4, has been carried out with fast neutrons in a reactor by a combination of the Fricke, cerium and bichromate dosimeters. At room temperature, the radical yield is smaller and the molecular yield is larger than those established in γ-radiolysis and net water decomposition is smaller. With increasing temperature, the ratio of the radical to molecular yields becomes similar to that in γ-radiolysis at room temperature. In order to check the above evaluation, proton beam radiolysis was also conducted at elevated temperatures as a model experiment. Although the temperature range was limited between room temperature and 80oC, the proton beam experiment confirms the evaluation obtained in the fast neutron radiolysis. (Author)