Computer Simulation of Thermal Processes Involving Sr and Ca Radionuclides in the Process of Heating Radioactive Graphite in an Air Atmosphere

Abstract

The paper presents the results from a thermodynamic analysis of the behavior of Sr and Ca radionuclides in the process of heating radioactive graphite in an air atmosphere. The TERRA software package was used for the thermodynamic analysis in a temperature range of 300 to 3600 K to determine the possible composition of the ionized, gaseous and condensed phases. It has been found that strontium is in the form of condensed SrCl2(k) and gaseous SrCl2 in a temperature range of 300 to 1600 K, and in the form of gaseous SrCl2, SrO, SrCl and Sr and ionized SrCl+, Sr+ and SrO+ when the temperature is increased from 1600 to 3600 K. Calcium is in the form of condensed CaCl2(k), CaUO4(k), CaO(k) and gaseous CaCl2 in the temperature interval between 300 and 2100 K, and in the form of gaseous Ca, CaCl and CaO and ionized Ca+, CaO+ and CaCl+ when the temperature is increased from 2100 to 3600 K. The paper determines the key reactions within individual phases and among condensed, gaseous and ionized phases. The equilibrium constants of their reactions have been calculated. Based on the results obtained, dependence plots are presented for the Sr and Ca radionuclide distribution by phases. © 2023 Obninsk Institute for Nuclear Power Engineering, National Research Nuclear University 'MEPhI'. All rights reserved.