Quantitative differential thermal analysis study of the U₃O₈-Al thermite reaction

Conference · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:5044842

Pasto, A. E.; Copeland, G. L.; Martin, M. M.

Concerns about proliferation resistance of nuclear fuel cycles and fuels 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. This study was initiated to quantitatively measure the amount of reaction heat evolved. A differential thermal analysis system was calibrated with materials of known heat of reaction. Subsequently, specimens of high-uranium-loaded U/sub 3/O/sub 8/-Al powder mixtures were analyzed. Thermite reaction heat measured for these specimens was much lower than expected. Specimens of simulated fuel plates showed similar low results. Possible reasons for this behavior are discussed.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 5044842
• Report Number(s): CONF-800460-5; TRN: 80-015995
• Resource Relation: Conference: 82. annual American Ceramic Society meeting, Chicago, IL, USA, 27 Apr 1980
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
ALUMINIUM
REACTION HEAT
FUEL PLATES
FUEL-CLADDING INTERACTIONS
URANIUM OXIDES U3O8
BINARY MIXTURES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DIFFERENTIAL THERMAL ANALYSIS
SIMULATION
ACTINIDE COMPOUNDS
CHALCOGENIDES
DISPERSIONS
ELEMENTS
ENTHALPY
FUEL ELEMENTS
METALS
MIXTURES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
REACTOR COMPONENTS
THERMAL ANALYSIS
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
URANIUM COMPOUNDS
URANIUM OXIDES
055001* - Nuclear Fuels- Safeguards
Inspection
& Accountability- Technical Aspects
400201 - Chemical & Physicochemical Properties
050700 - Nuclear Fuels- Fuels Production & Properties