Effect of temperature on radiolytically generated hydrogen yield from actual nuclear fuel-derived solution

Toigawa, Tomohiro; Hotoku, Shinobu; Kumagai, Yuta; Abe, Yuma*; Oyama, Kanichi*; Fukaya, Hiroyuki; Tsubata, Yasuhiro; Ban, Yasutoshi; Kida, Takashi; Hasegawa, Satoshi*; et al.

Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 63(8), p.969 - 975, 2026/08

https://doi.org/10.1080/00223131.2026.2637453

The effect of temperature on hydrogen generated from radiolysis was investigated to determine the safety implications in nuclear fuel reprocessing. Radiolytic hydrogen production poses a risk due to its flammability, especially when it accumulates in confined spaces without ventilation. Herein, generation of radiolytic hydrogen from an actual nuclear fuel-derived solution is investigated. Compared to previous studies using a plutonium nitric acid solution, this study evaluates radiolytic hydrogen yield under more realistic conditions, reflecting post-irradiation fuel composition. G-values of H are determined at multiple temperatures, and the impact of alpha, beta, and gamma radiation doses is evaluated using PHITS-based simulations. Findings from this study confirmed a reduction in hydrogen yield due to scavenging effects of high-concentration nitric acid and metal ions dissolved in the solution, and temperature dependence appeared to be minor. A weak decreasing trend of G-values with temperature under agitated conditions might be related to hydrogen consumption by palladium species.