tritium oxidation rates -Reply

[MICHAEL S FORD <MFORD@pantex.com>]

Scott,

Since the exposure limits (DAC) are about four orders of magnitude
lower for HTO than for T2, it really does matter.

 The conversion rate of elemental tritium (T2) to tritiated water
(HTO) is directly proportional to the elemental tritium gas
concentration and the time of exposure to water vapor.  Eakins and
Hutchison (DOE, Savannah River Site) studied the oxidation of
elemental tritium in both dry air and moist air, 100% RH.  They
found that at low concentrations, the rate constant was a second
order relationship with respect to the elemental tritium
concentration.  They obtained a dry air oxidation rate constant of
5.6e-4 mL/mCi-hr and 2.9e-3 mL/mCi-hr for moist air.

'Hope this helps!
v/r
Michael
*************************
Michael S. Ford, CHP
Texas Radiation Advisory Board
Address:
Radiation Safety Department
Battelle Pantex
Amarillo, TX
806.477.5727 phone
806.477.4198 fax
mford@pantex.com
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