[ RadSafe ] Salsman's uranium trioxide gas proof

[Otto Raabe]

At 07:26 AM 1/24/2007, James Salsman wrote:
>In Carter, R.F. and K. Stewart (1970) "On the oxide fume formed by the
>combustion of plutonium and uranium" Inhaled Particles 2:819-38 (PMID
>5527739) is at:
>  http://www.bovik.org/du/CarterStewart.pdf
>--please see section (f) on page 836, which indicates that about half
>of burning uranium goes into a gaseous vapor fume, instead of the
>aerosol particulates which have thus far been the only portion
>measured.
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In aerosol science the word fume refers to small airborne particles 
produced by condensation of vapors. The definition given on page 6 in the 
textbook AEROSOL SCIENCE by W.C. Hinds (Academic Press 1982) states" "Fume: 
A solid-particle aerosol produced by the condensation of vapors or gaseous 
combustion products. Particle sizes are generally less than 1 um. Note that 
this definition is different from the popular use of the term to refer to 
any noxious contamination the atmosphere."

Mr. Salsman's lack of knowledge in this field has led to his 
misunderstanding of the article by Carter and Stewart. The vapors formed in 
that study existed only instantaneously at temperature exceeding 2000 
degrees Celsius. Carter and Steward studied the insoluble airborne 
particles formed by vaporization of plutonium and uranium. Their main 
conclusion was that extremely hot events can lead to the formation of 
airborne particles of the insoluble metal oxides.

No gaseous forms of plutonium metal or uranium metal or their oxides exist 
at normal ambient temperature

Otto



Otto


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Prof. Otto G. Raabe, Ph.D., CHP
Center for Health & the Environment
University of California
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616
E-Mail: ograabe at ucdavis.edu
Phone: (530) 752-7754   FAX: (530) 758-6140
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