THE DETERMINATION OF OXYGEN/METAL RATIOS FOR URANIUM, PLUTONIUM AND (U,Pu) OXIDES

Technical Report · Tue Mar 31 23:00:00 EST 1964

OSTI ID:4060089

Marken, T L; Walter, A J; Bones, R J

Non-stoichiometric uranium oxides can be analysed by reduction to UO{sub 2.00} with CO and measurement of the CO{sub 2} produced. Recent thermodynamic data supports the validity of this method and also establishes the conditions for extending similar methods to the analysis of substoichiometric plutonium oxides and to mixed uranium-plutonium oxides. The theoretical bases of the method and recent practical developments are discussed. The accuracy of analyses obtainable by gas handling methods is illustrated by typical recent results, and possible future modifications are outlined. Oxygen/metal ratios can be determined to +- 0.001 in the case of hyperstoichiometric MO{sub 2+x} oxides, and to +- 0.002 in the case of hypostoichiometric MO{sub 2-x} oxides. (auth)

• Research Organization: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority. Research Group. Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell, Berks, England
• NSA Number: NSA-18-023403
• OSTI ID: 4060089
• Report Number(s): AERE-R-4608
• Country of Publication: United Kingdom
• Language: English

Related Subjects

CHEMISTRY
GASES
METALS
NUMERICALS
OXYGEN
PLUTONIUM OXIDES
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
QUANTITY RATIO
THERMODYNAMICS
URANIUM OXIDES