An exploding wire aerosol generator

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Abstract

Metallic or oxide particles in the 0.02 μ diameter range are formed and dispersed as aerosols when a 4000 joule capacitor bank is discharged through small wires in an explosion chamber. About 85 ± 4% of the uranium in the exploded wires can be recovered from U3O8 aerosol in 5–50 mg. amounts. Particles from the explosion of Ag, Al, Au, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mo, Ni, Pb, Pt, Sn, Ta, Th, U, and W have been observed. An aerosol consisting of isolated spheres (rather than chains) can be prepared by diluting and fanning freshly generated U3O8 smoke. In aerosol concentrations of the order 10 g./m.3 (about 3 × 1011) particles/cm.3 visible coagulation effects result in the formation of chains 2–3 cm. long.

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Work performed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory operated by Union Carbide Nuclear Company for the United States Atomic Energy Commission.

2

Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (temporary employee at ORNL, Summer, 1960).

3

Health Physics Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

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