ABSTRACT
A mass spectrometer with a heated inlet capable of reaching temperatures in excess of 3000K has been utilized to evaluate fission product and actinide release from both irradiated fuels and simulants. In addition to its high temperature capability, the mass spectrometer inlet can operate at a pressure of 30 bar hydrogen with up to 5 percent steam in the hydrogen gas. This inlet, as well as a conventional Knudsen cell inlet, has been employed to determine relative release rates for plutonium and several rare earths which are used as surrogates for plutonium. Release rates are shown to depend more on thermochemistry than on physical factors such as concentration or volati1ity of the elements. Release rates for 1anthana are computed for two accident situations.
