Study of the U/sub 3/O/sub 8/-Al thermite reaction and strength of reactor fuel tubes
Heating tests using 53 wt % U/sub 3/O/sub 8/-Al pellets show that an exothermic reaction occurs between 875 and 1000/sup 0/C and takes 10 to 20 seconds to reach maximum temperature. The maximum temperature is a function of particle size of the U/sub 3/O/sub 8/ with large particles exhibiting lower peak temperatures. The calculated energy release was 123 cal/g of U/sub 3/O/sub 8/-aluminum fuel. Tests using aluminum clad outer fuel tube sections gave lower peak temperatures than for pellets. No violent reactions occurred. The results are reasonably consistent with recent reported data indicating that the exothermic U/sub 3/O/sub 8/-Al reaction is not an important energy source. The compressive and tensile strengths of U/sub 3/O/sub 8/ tubes above 660/sup 0/C are low. In compression, sections with 2 psi average axial stress failed at 917/sup 0/C, while sections with 7 psi failed at 669/sup 0/C. Tubes with U-Al alloy cores failed at about 670/sup 0/C with no applied load. The stresses in fuel tubes during a reactor transient may range up to several hundred psi and are less than 7 psi only in the upper part of the fuel tube.
- Research Organization:
- Du Pont de Nemours (E.I.) and Co., Aiken, SC (United States). Savannah River Lab.
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC09-76SR00001
- OSTI ID:
- 5572466
- Report Number(s):
- DP-1665; ON: DE84000850
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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