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Understanding the formation and behaviour of C-14 in irradiated Magnox graphite.
- Source :
-
Carbon . Sep2020, Vol. 165, p100-111. 12p. - Publication Year :
- 2020
-
Abstract
- Nuclear power generation in the United Kingdom is based principally on graphite-moderated gas-cooled reactors. One of the principal long-lived radionuclides produced during graphite irradiation is radiocarbon (C-14). Graphite from some Magnox reactors is known to contain carbonaceous surface deposits, which have been shown to contain significantly higher C-14 activity compared to the underlying graphite. This work is part of a multi-year programme designed to inform decisions on graphite waste management by further scientific understanding of C-14 formation and behaviour in core graphite. The aim of this paper was to investigate the effect of the reactor operating conditions on the formation of C-14 in the graphite and carbonaceous deposits. A comparison of C-14 specific activities in regions of graphite core components directly exposed to and shielded from coolant gas indicates that exposure to the coolant does not have a significant effect on the C-14 activity of the graphite and the deposits. C-14 in the graphite appears to be linearly related to irradiation dose. Comparison with activation model predictions shows good agreement with the C-14 activity in the graphite in the fuel channels based upon an assumed nitrogen impurity. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *GRAPHITE
*NUCLEAR energy
*WASTE management
*CARBON isotopes
*RADIOISOTOPES
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00086223
- Volume :
- 165
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Carbon
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 143859447
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2020.04.039