Doonyapong Wongsawaeng

MODELING FAILURE MECHANISM OF DESIGNED-TO-FAIL PARTICLE FUEL

A model to predict failure of designed-to-fail (dtf) fuel particles is discussed. The dtf fuel under study consisted of a uranium oxycarbide kernel coated with a single pyrocarbon seal coat. Coating failure was assumed to be due to fission gas recoil and knockout mechanisms and direct diffusive release of fission gas from the kernel, which acted to increase pressure and stress in the pyrocarbon layer until it ruptured. Predictions of dtf fuel failure using General Atomics’ particle fuel performance code for HRB-17/18 and HFR-B1 irradiation tests were reasonably accurate; however, the model could not predict the failure for COMEDIE BD-1. This was most likely due to insufficient information on reported particle fuel failure at the beginning.

Enhancement of uranium extraction from seawater using chromic-acid-treated amidoxime adsorbent prepared by simultaneous irradiation grafting technique

Enhancement of uranium extraction from seawater using chromic-acid-treated amidoxime adsorbent was studied. Chromic-acid-treated amidoxime fibers were synthesized based on the simultaneous irradiation grafting method at a low temperature. Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) fibers were treated with chromic acid for up to 90 minutes. After the treatment, the fibers were submerged in 60:40 acrylonitrile:methacrylic acid monomer by volume and irradiated with 40 kGy γ-ray. The maximum grafting efficiency of about 90% occurred at 20 minutes of acid treatment time, as a significant enhancement of 30% compared to the literature-reported value of about 70%. When submerged in shallow seawater with an average temperature of 30 °C for 4 weeks, the amidoxime adsorbent exhibited the adsorption capacity of 2.06 g-U/kg-adsorbent, which was 37% higher than the literature-reported value. These significantly increased grafting and adsorption efficiencies were attributed to the increased surface area of chromic-acid-etched LDPE fibers. Moreover, for the submersion up to 8 weeks, the adsorption increased to 2.15 g-U/kg-adsorbent. The adsorption capacity was evaluated to reduce to about 65% after eight cycles of repeated usage. Uranium concentrations in Thailands seawater collected at various depths and locations were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to be about 3 ppb everywhere.

Superabsorbentmaterials from grafting of acrylic acid onto Thai agricultural residues by gamma irradiation

ABSTRACT Superabsorbent polymers based on ubiquitous agricultural residues: sugarcane, water hyacinth, rice straw, coconut shell and palm fruit bunch substrates, were successfully synthesized. Gamma radiation from Co-60 was employed to graft acrylic acid (AA) onto the substrates. Rice straw exhibited the highest equilibrium swelling ratio of 78.90 g/g at 6 kGy of absorbed gamma ray dose and 14%v/v AA concentration. The rate of water absorption was rapid at the beginning and became reduced with increasing immersion time. After about 3.5 hours, the absorption reached approximately 90% of the saturation value. Temperature plays a critical role on the rate of water evaporation from the superabsorbent. As for the one experiencing 35 °C–40 °C temperature, the weight of the saturated superabsorbent reduced to approximately 50% of the original value in 13 hours. However, for the one experiencing room temperature (24.2 °C–27.7 °C), approximately 58 hours were needed to reduce the weight by half. The superabsorbent polymer was able to absorb about 203% of the polymers dry weight and did not release urea when eluded by water. Moreover, the polymer was able to hold water very well for at least 3 weeks and did not degrade until at least 6 weeks, ensuring biodegradability.

Applied Moving-Temperature-Gradient Technique for CsI(Tl) Crystal Growth

A simple high-temperature furnace with two independent heating zones was developed based on the moving-temperature-gradient concept with an operating range of 400 to 1,200°C. Programmable temperature reduction rates of the two heating zones are independently controlled in a closed chamber for better thermal stability throughout the growth zone. In order to eliminate the driving mechanism and reduce subtle vibration, which could adversely affect crystal quality, the charge crucible and furnace are made stationary during the growth process. Measurement results of temperature distributions of gradient drifting rates at various positions along the growth zone are presented. The growth of CsI(Tl) scintillation crystals prepared from a mixture of 99.9% pure CsI powder and Tl powder, using the growth rate of 1 mm/h, temperature gradient of 25.5°C/cm, and temperature gradient drift rate of 2.5°C/h, was achieved with crystal sizes of 10 and 22mm diameter, both 70mm in length. Test results of gamma energy resolution at 662 keV of Cs-137 spectrum measurement revealed a resolution of 7–9%.