Research on anhydrous hydrazine synthesis

The first part of this work concerns the radiolysis of pure liquid ammonia. The fundamental importance of the dose rate and of the dose on the yield of radiolytic products has been demonstrated. By using a capture solute at concentrations of between 10-3 and 1.2 mole s/litre, it has been possible to determine the yields of radicals and of molecules in the irradiated pure ammonia. During later work, it was possible to determine, by systematically varying the physico-chemical parameters, the most favorable conditions for carrying out the radiosynthesis; the maximum radiochemical yield of the hydrazine obtained has a value: G (N2H4) = 2.2/100 eV. An analysis of the molecular yields in the presence of deuterated solutes makes it possible to explain partially the role of the capture species. A project is also described for an installation producing hydrazine continuously; it is followed by an economic study of the process. From this work it appears that the yields of hydrazine obtained justify an industrial application, especially if strong radiation sources are available, for example nuclear reactors. (author)