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Simfuel leaching studies in granitic groundwater under oxidizing conditions

Book ·
OSTI ID:264411
Simulated high-burnup nuclear fuel (SIMFUEL) has been leached in synthetic groundwater under oxic conditions. SIMFUEL pellets were ground and sieved to two particle sizes (50--100 and 100--315 {micro}m). An extensive solid characterization of the fragments was carried out by various techniques. Elemental analysis has also been performed prior to the leaching tests. The release of U and the minor components (Mo, Ba and Sr) was monitored during the long term dissolution experiments (350 days). These minor components exhibit a trend similar to uranium, high release at the beginning followed by a plateau. The M/U calculated ratios show different behavior although after a period of time, depending on the particle sizes, constant ratios were observed. SIMFUEL powder was used in order to simulate the physical effect of burn-up on the fuel structure. This fact seems to play an important role on the uranium release. A comparison with the results given in the literature for SIMFUEL pellet leaching tests shows good agreement with the values reported.
OSTI ID:
264411
Report Number(s):
CONF-951155--; ISBN 1-55899-315-0
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English