Open AccessAN ESTIMATION OF THE EXPLOSION HAZARD DURING REPROCESSING OF METALLIC URANIUM FUEL ELEMENTS METALLURGICALLY BONDED TO ZIRCALOY CLADDING
Author(s) -
J.L. Swanson
Publication year - 1959
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/4206567
Subject(s) - cladding (metalworking) , explosive material , nitric acid , uranium , materials science , zirconium alloy , dissolution , metallurgy , diffusion , uranium oxide , layer (electronics) , diffusion layer , composite material , chemistry , thermodynamics , zirconium , physics , organic chemistry
BS>Experimental studies were performed to define the behavior in ammonium fluoride solutions of uraniumzirconium alloys and of explosive residues isolated from such alloys. The results indicate that once the diffusion layer existing between the uranium core and the Zircaloy cladrung is exposed to such solutions, it will readily and completely dissolve, thus eliminating the possibility of this portion of the diffusion layer entering into an explosive reaction with nitric acid. Because of the probability that the Zircaloy cladding (and, therefore, the diffusion layer) will not be completely removed from the uranium prior to the nitric acid core dissolution step, consideration was also given to the magnitude of a possible explosive reaction resulting from the exposure of the diffusion layer to nitric acid. It is concluded that the probability of an explosive reaction of sufficient magnitude to pressurize a dissolver during normal plant operations is very remote. (auth