UF6 containment studies: controlled releases in GAT environmental chamber

Releases of gaseous UF6 into static atmosphere at ambient environmental chamber test conditions with relative humidities varying from of 9 to 90% and temperatures of covering range 00 to 400C have shown that changes in temperature and humidity do not significantly affect UO2F2 particle size formation (1 to 3 micron diameter) or the slow release cloud settling time (0.1 mm/second). Typical gas release particulate clouds have been studied using sequential photographs and motion pictures. The second stage of study, which involves gas release into dynamic airflow, is now underway. Experiments involving simulated liquid UF6 container rupture, spill size exceeding the available UF6/moisture hydrolysis capacity, and various cloud knockdown techniques are currently in the planning stages