Radiolysis of Salts and Long-Term Storage Issues for Both Pure and Impure PuO{sub 2} Materials in Plutonium Storage Containers

Corrosion behaviour of 304L stainless steel and 5754 aluminium alloy for intermediate‐level radioactive waste containers

“…In the case of the 304L stainless steel, exposure to this acidic environment caused localised corrosion on the surface in the form of pits and cracks. This observation is in agreement with the literature on austenitic stainless steels in corrosive environments .…”

“…The film properties depend on environmental conditions such as temperature, relative humidity and the atmosphere, and the film itself is usually composed of an oxide and/or a hydroxide [9,10]. Several studies in the literature [9][10][11][12][13] suggest that this film comprises two layers: an upper surface layer of a chromium hydroxide such as Cr(OH) 3 , and a lower layer of an oxide such as Cr 2 O 3 or CrO 3 that is in contact with the metallic substrate; sometimes, iron oxide can also be present. This oxide layer has a higher chromium content and a lower iron content than the substrate.…”

“…Moreover, studies on the storage of high-plutonium-content products with low quantities of chloride salt have revealed the presence of corrosive species such as HCl and NH 3 in the gaseous phase after several years of storage [3,4]. In these studies, an NH 4 Cl film was detected on the inner walls of sealed containers, indicating that both NH 3 and HCl must have been present in the gas phase [4].…”

“…The presence of corrosive gases could be explained by several phenomena: -The most important phenomenon is radiolysis by nuclear matter. NH 3 and HCl formation can be attributed to radiolytic reactions between the contents of containers [4]. Based on this hypothesis, Tandon [3] predicted the formation of corrosive gases (e.g.…”

“…NH 3 and HCl formation can be attributed to radiolytic reactions between the contents of containers [4]. Based on this hypothesis, Tandon [3] predicted the formation of corrosive gases (e.g. Cl 2 , Cl 2 O, HCl, H 2 S) by radiolysis.…”