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COMPATIBILITY OF ZIRCONIUM HYDRIDE AND CARBON DIOXIDE

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4210987· OSTI ID:4210987
The stability of unclad zirconium hydride was investigated as a reactor moderator in carbon dioxide coolant. Two ranges of hydride were tested, an alpha- plus deltaphase hydride (ZrH/sub 0.9 plus or minus 0.2/) and a delta-phase hydride (ZrH/sub 1.5/). The delta-phase hydride exhibited excellent dimensional stability, but suffered as great as 20% hydrogen loss at 1200 deg F, together with severe corrosion. The alphaplus delta-phase hydride swelled and warped in a temperature gradient but did not lose much hydrogen and did not corrode severely even at 1200 deg F. The results indicate that zirconium hydride could not be used as unclad moderator in a carbon dioxide atmosphere in the temperature range desired for the Maritime Gas Cooled Reactor. (auth)
Research Organization:
General Atomic Dev., General Dynamics Corp., San Diego, Calif.
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
NSA Number:
NSA-14-009772
OSTI ID:
4210987
Report Number(s):
GA-849
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English