Experimental design approach for identification of the factors influencing the γ-radiolysis of ion exchange resins

• Ion exchange resins were irradiated under different conditions.
• Resins degradation was studied from the gases and water-soluble products analyses.
• A screening design allowed identifying the factors influencing gases production.
• The resins gamma stability was estimated from the response of experimental designs.
• A reaction scheme was proposed for each resin degraded under different conditions.

Gamma radiolysis was investigated on a nuclear grade mixed bed ion exchange resin and its pure components under different irradiation conditions. Screening designs were performed to identify the factors influencing gas production after their γ-radiolysis and to compare their γ-degradation stability. Only hydrogen and trimethylamine quantities were considered as the response in the experimental designs. The other detected gases and water-soluble products were used to improve the resins degradation. Aerobic irradiation atmosphere decreased the H2g production of AmbOH, MB400, and amines. The water presence increased the H2g quantities for AmbH and decreased those for MB400 resin. Liquid water had no effect on H2g production from AmbOH but was favorable to increased amine production. The H2g production of AmbH increased with the absorbed dose that had little effect on the AmbOH resin. No impact of dose on the H2g production was detected for MB400 that appeared to be less degraded.

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