
Drying damaged K West fuel elements (Summary of whole element furnace runs 1 through 8)
Author(s) -
L.A. Lawrence
Publication year - 1998
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/9428
Subject(s) - environmental science , metallurgy , waste management , west germany , materials science , engineering , history , economic history
N Reactor fuel elements stored in the Hanford K Basins were subjected to high temperatures and vacuum conditions to remove water. Results of the first series of whole element furnace tests i.e., Runs 1 through 8 were collected in this summary report. The report focuses on the six tests with breached fuel from the K West Basin which ranged from a simple fracture at the approximate mid-point to severe damage with cladding breaches at the top and bottom ends with axial breaches and fuel loss. Results of the tests are summarized and compared for moisture released during cold vacuum drying, moisture remaining after drying, effects of drying on the fuel element condition, and hydrogen and fission product release