Quantitative differential thermal analysis study of the U/sub 3/O/sub 8/-Al thermite reaction
Concerns about proliferation resistance of nuclear fuels and fuel cycles have prompted a reinvestigation of U/sub 3/O/sub 8/-Al cermet fuels currently being used in research and test reactors. In particular, higher loadings of U/sub 3/O/sub 8/ are being considered. These new fuel compositions are in the region of maximum possible thermal energy release from the high temperature thermite reaction between the U/sub 3/O/sub 8/ and aluminum components. The present study was initiated to measure the amount of reaction heat evolved quantitatively. A differential thermal analysis system was calibrated with materials of known heats of reaction. Subsequently, specimens of high uranium-load U/sub 3/O/sub 8/-Al powder mixtures were analyzed. Preliminary results showed that the thermite reaction heat evolved from these specimens was much lower than expected. Specimens of simulated fuel plates showed similar low results. Possible reasons for this behavior are discussed. 18 refs.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge Natl Lab, TN, USA
- OSTI ID:
- 6743863
- Journal Information:
- Am. Ceram. Soc. Bull.; (United States), Vol. 61:4
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Quantitative differential thermal analysis study of the U/sub 3/O/sub 8/-Al thermite reaction
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98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ALUMINIUM
REACTION HEAT
THERMITE PROCESS
URANIUM OXIDES U3O8
CERMETS
DIFFERENTIAL THERMAL ANALYSIS
POWDERS
PROLIFERATION
SAFEGUARDS
X-RAY DIFFRACTION
ACTINIDE COMPOUNDS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COHERENT SCATTERING
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
DIFFRACTION
ELEMENTS
ENTHALPY
MATERIALS
METALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
REDUCTION
SCATTERING
THERMAL ANALYSIS
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
URANIUM COMPOUNDS
URANIUM OXIDES
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