THE SULFEX PROCESS TERMINAL DEVELOPMENT REPORT
Sulfex dissolutions of stainless steel were carried out in a series of experiments which culminated in demonstration decladdings of simulated fuel elements in a prototypescale recirculating dissolver. The feasibility of decladding stainless-steel clad fuels with H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/ was conclusively demonstrated. Decladding rates were observed to vary with type of stainless steel and with type of sparge gas, either superheated steam or air. Passivation of stainless steel was of no consequence when the fuel elements were coupled to carbon steel and nitrate ion concentration was maintained below 0.0l M. Uranium losses to the decladding solutions were found to be inconsequentially low in all cases. Hydrogen explosion hazard was controllable by varying the acid concentration where air sparge or purge gas rates were scaled to correspond to those proposed for a production facility. The stainless-steel dissolution products are soluble to the extent of about one molar where the sulfuric acid concentration is below five molar. Corrosion of the Hastelloy F dissolver complex is appreciable and increases as acid concentrations and contact times increase. (W.L.H.)
- Research Organization:
- General Electric Co. Hanford Atomic Products Operation, Richland, Wash.
- DOE Contract Number:
- AT(45-1)-1350
- NSA Number:
- NSA-15-007407
- OSTI ID:
- 4844044
- Report Number(s):
- HW-66439
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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