FORMATION OF HYDRAZINE FROM THE RADIOLYSIS OF AMMONIA IN THE PRESENCE OF MINERAL SOLIDS

Abstract The formation of hydrazine from the cobalt-60 gamma radiolysis of ammonia in the presence of mineral solids was investigated. Sorbed ammonia on Linde Molecular Sieve 13X powder, binder free (sodium-alumino-silicate structure), indicated a maximum G -value for hydrazine formation of 0.99 based on energy absorbed in ammonia alone. This is 12.4 times the value obtained by radiolysis of anhydrous liquid ammonia. The rate of hydrazine formation with sorbed ammonia in the molecular sieve is found to be 3.3 times that in liquid ammonia. The data appear to indicate a surface effect which prevents the recombination processes.