Abstract
This paper presents a method to evaluate the effects of physical phenomena responsible for the helium-3 leak outside a radioactive waste drum containing tritium. The understanding of the helium-3 exchanges, which occur between the atmosphere and the drum is important to quantify the total activity of the bonded and free tritium present in the drum. The model of the transport of helium-3 takes into account the diffusion phenomenon due to the difference between the helium-3 partial pressure in the drum and in the atmosphere as well as the influence of the atmospheric pressure variations. For the diffusion effect, the first Fick equation has been used and concerning the gaseous leakage phenomenon, this effect has been described using the Poiseuille law. To determine the conductance, which is the main parameter for the laminar transport description, and the diffusion constant, a pilot has been used. It experimentally allowed us to simulate a drum. Then, a comparison between the theoretical and experimental data has highlighted a good agreement validating the developed model. Finally, drum parameters have been extrapolated from those of the pilot to predict the helium-3 rate evolution in a drum versus time, taking into account the atmospheric pressure variations.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
