Open AccessFeasibility of direct reactivity measurement in multi-canister overpacks at the Cold Vacuum Drying Facility
Author(s) -
R.G. Cowan
Publication year - 1997
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/344977
Subject(s) - nuclear engineering , helium , reactivity (psychology) , volumetric flow rate , materials science , yield (engineering) , hydrogen , analytical chemistry (journal) , chemistry , reaction rate , thermodynamics , composite material , chromatography , physics , engineering , medicine , biochemistry , alternative medicine , organic chemistry , pathology , catalysis
A proposed method for measuring the chemical reaction rate (power) of breached N-Reactor fuel elements with water in a Multi-canister overpack (MCO) based on hydrogen release rate is evaluated. The reaction rate is measured at 50 C in an oxygen free water by applying a vacuum to boil the water and adding a low, measured flow of helium. The ratio of helium to hydrogen is used to infer the reaction rate. A test duration of less than 8 hours was found to provide sufficient accuracy for confidence in the measurement results. A more rigorous treatment of system measurement accuracy, which may yield shorter test durations, should be performed if this reactivity measurement is to be employed