Tellurium Behavior in Containment Under Light Water Reactor Accident Conditions

Interactions of tellurium in containment can result in changes of physical form and therefore in its transport properties. The physical and chemical forms of inorganic tellurium species will be determined by condensation, oxidation, and dissolution in water. Of the three volatile tellurium chemical forms, Te₂ (gas, aerosol), H₂Te, and organic tellurides, only organic tellurides have the potential to remain in the gas phase in a containment atmosphere. There is a general lack of information on the formation and removal of organic tellurides under light water reactor accident conditions.