Fluorine generation by gamma radiolysis of a fluoride salt mixture

Fluoride salt mixtures of composition, LiF-BeF₂-ZrF₄-UF₄(64.5, 30.3, 5.0, 0.13 mol%) were irradiated using 10⁷— 10⁸R/h gamma radiation to achieve high doses. Under these conditions, F₂is released from the salt and accumulates as an F₂overpressure until a 2 mol% damage limit in the crystal is reached. At this point, the rate of F₂generation is equivalent to the rate of recombination with active metal sites accompanying the radiolytic damage in the salt. The activation energy for the rate of recombination has been found to be 39 kJ/mol; and for the conditions of irradiation used here, no F₂should be released above 150°C.