A study of the melting of irradiated uranium
| Autor: | J.H. Buddery, K.T. Scott |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 1962 |
| Předmět: |
inorganic chemicals
Quenching Nuclear and High Energy Physics Fission products Nuclear fission product Fission Radiochemistry technology industry and agriculture chemistry.chemical_element Internal pressure Uranium complex mixtures Nuclear Energy and Engineering chemistry Melting point General Materials Science Irradiation |
| Zdroj: | Journal of Nuclear Materials. 5:81-93 |
| ISSN: | 0022-3115 |
| Popis: | A study of the melting of high burn-up irradiated uranium has been made, with particular reference to the release of the fission product inert gases. Density changes were recorded by a cine-photographic technique and, due to the gross swelling caused by gas bubbles, values as low as 2–4 g/cm3 were observed shortly after melting. During the expansion bubbles of up to 3 mm diameter were formed. Uranium burn-up and irradiation, temperature, in the ranges examined, had comparatively little effect on the gas release as measured by counting Kr85. The gas release was studied in greater detail by quenching the uranium at progressive intervals after the release became rapid. This rapid release was found to begin in the solid uranium about 10° C below the melting point, at the heating rates used. It is suggested that at this point the strength of the uranium is so low that the internal pressure of the fission gases in the bubbles and cracks is sufficient to extend many of them to the surface. More than 99.5 % of the KI85 was lost on melting, and the final configuration was a pool of almost full density uranium covered by a low density froth. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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