Dihydrogen gas emission of a 250kW(th) research reactor
Georg Steinhauser1, Mario Villa
1Vienna University of Technology, Atominstitut, Stadionallee, Austria. georg.steinhauser@ati.ac.at
Abstract:
The Vienna TRIGA pool-type reactor emits tiny gas bubbles at 250kW. They add up to a total volume of ∼2.4L in 7h of daily operation. The bubbles consist of nitrogen (72.5vol%), hydrogen (17.2%), oxygen plus argon (12.0%) and carbon dioxide (0.23%). The emission of constituents of air is caused by degassing of dissolved air in the hot regions of the reactor. Hydrogen results from neutron-induced radiolysis of the cooling water. This emission should be kept in mind for reasons of fire protection even for low-power reactors.
Related Concept Videos
Emission Spectra
Types of Radioactivity
Alpha (α) decay is the emission of an α particle from the nucleus. For example, polonium-210 undergoes α decay:
Nuclear Fusion
A helium nucleus has a mass that is 0.7% less than that of four hydrogen nuclei; this lost mass is converted into energy during the fusion. This reaction produces about...
Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Instrumentation
Heat Capacities of an Ideal Gas III
Hess's Law

