Retention of fission xenon in air by activated carbon at 2 °C

Abstract

Xenon retention in air by activated carbon for two sizes of grain and two flows of gas is described. 133Xe obtained from the residual gases existent in the decay tanks of the 99Mo Production Plant of Ezeiza Atomic Center, was mixed with natural xenon as carrier and air as the major component. The gas stream was passed through a drier, two columns filled with activated carbon at 2 °C and one filled with small wires of porous copper at -196 °C. On the basis of the results obtained, the conditions of an equipment could be extrapolated with the conditions of operation to the routine treatment of fission gases. Recommendations with respect to the movement of gases in a hot cell are also formulated.