H2 production in the 10B(n, α)7Li reaction in water. (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dietz, Travis C.; Thompson, Alan; Al-Sheikhly, Mohamad; Sterniczuk, Marcin; Bartels, David M.
• Is Part Of: Radiation physics and chemistry. Volume 180(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: Water radiolysis -- 10B -- Neutron capture; Radiation chemistry -- Periodicals; Radiometry -- Periodicals; Radiation -- Periodicals; Chimie sous rayonnement -- Périodiques; 539.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2020.109319
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0969-806X

Abstract

Abstract: We demonstrate a method for measuring the H2 produced in water from the 10 B(n, α) 7 Li fission reaction. Low energy neutrons from the NIST Center for Neutron Research interact with borate-containing water in a temperature-controlled high pressure cell made from titanium. After exposure for one to several hours, the water is extracted and sparged with argon. H2 entrained in the sparging gas is sampled with a small mass spectrometer. To determine the neutron exposure, a small amount of sodium is included in the borate solution. The water is collected and 24 Na activation is measured in a counting apparatus on the following day. The G-value for H2 at room temperature is found to be (1.18 ± 0.10) molecules H2 /100eV, in good agreement with previous estimates and recent modeling calculations. Highlights: The radiolytic H2 generation in the 10 B(n, α) 7 Li fission reaction was measured at room temperature. H2 was measured with a mass spectrometer while neutron flux was determined by 23 Na neutron activation analysis. The G value for H2 generation is 1.18 ± 0.10 molecules/100eV.