Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

THE BEHAVIOR OF FISSION PRODUCTS IN MOLTEN FLUORIDE REACTOR FUELS

Journal Article · · Nuclear Sci. and Eng.
OSTI ID:4298250
Observations are reported on the behavior of several fission product elements in molten NaF-ZrF/sub 4/-UF/sub 4/ fuels, irradiated in capsule experiments, forced-con vection in-pile loop experiments, and in the Aircraft Reactor Experiment (ARE). The rare gases were observed to escape readily from the fuels in dynamic tests, although in static tests the rate of escape is very low. Ruthenium and niobium deposit on the Inconel walls of the fuel container, probably as metals. Other fission products studied (Sr, Zr, La, Ce) appear to remain in the fuel. The results obtained are entirely consistent with theoretical predictions. It is suggested that the observed noble metal deposit may serve to reduce corrosion of metals by mnolten fluoride fuels. The unsatisfactory nature of Cs/sup 137/ as a fission monitor in such fuels is reported and the use of Zr/sup 95/ as a substitute is discussed. (auth)
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., Tenn.
NSA Number:
NSA-13-000115
OSTI ID:
4298250
Journal Information:
Nuclear Sci. and Eng., Journal Name: Nuclear Sci. and Eng. Vol. Vol: 4
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English