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richphys
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Homework Statement
How (or if) I can calculate critical mass with the information I'm given?
I have to write a criticality safety evaluation for an assignment. The assignment is about decomissioning a dissolver which was used to recover plutonium. On the contingencies section I need to apply 'magic merv'. These are the parameters which can effect criticality - mass, absorption, geometry, interaction, concentration, moderation, enrichment, reflection and volume.
For the mass section I'm not sure if I need to calculate the critical mass to determine how much solution (which contains some plutonium nitrate) should go in a storage drum. I don't know how to do this.
Homework Equations
I have calculated that there is 36.5 gallons of liquid in the dissolver which includes plutonium nitrate. I intend to put the liquid into a 55 gallon (lead-lined 2 inch thick) drum measuring 43 inches in height and 31 inches in diameter. I need to know if this is safe.
I am told that plutonium nitrate concentrations are less than 1 kg/L.
The Attempt at a Solution
I have attached text from the assignment.
Thank you!
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