ASSESSMENT OF THE CHEMICAL FORM OF GASEOUS S-35 SPECIES PRODUCED DURING THE PRODUCTION OF (H3PO4)-P-32

The chemical form of gaseous S-35 species produced during the producti on of (H3PO4)-P-32 was characterized in order to reduce S-35 discharge by understanding its production mechanism and chemical reactivity. An air sample was evacuated from the cell in which the (H3PO4)-P-32 prod uction was being carried out and collected in a sample gas reservoir. Gaseous sulfur species contained in the sample were condensed in a col d trap maintained at -180-degrees-C and analyzed by means of gas chrom atography using a flame photometric detector. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) was the only sulfur species detected. Equilibrium constant calculations s howed that SO2 would be expected to be the predominant species produce d by reactions of sulfur molecules (S(n):n = 2-8) with oxygen in air a nd that the quantity Of SO2 produced would be reduced by heating the i rradiated sulfur target under vacuum or in atmospheres of inert gases.