Effectiveness of Bronze as a Zinc Getter After Being Subjected to Simulated Exposures

Abstract

Gamma-emitting zinc-65 was detected in piping contained in a tritium glovebox after a vacuum thermal process. This contaminate was created during irradiation of components in a nuclear reactor and was borne of natural zinc. The Tritium Extraction Facility prefers to capture the zinc in a high radiation area to minimize potential dose to the worker and to reduce the likelihood of spreading contamination to other areas of the facility. Previous efforts have shown that bronze is an excellent candidate material to act as a zinc getter in the as-fabricated condition. In reality, the extraction process may contain moisture and hydrogen which could cause oxidation or reduction of the surfaces of the zinc getters. A series of experiments was conducted to determine the efficacy of the zinc getters after oxidation and reduction exposures. It was determined that the bronze coupons were moderately effective in most of the oxidized conditions and in all the oxidized and reduced conditions.