Electrochemical studies of corrosion of SIMFUEL: Simulated used UO{sub 2} fuel
- Whiteshell Labs., Pinawa, Manitoba (Canada)
The corrosion of SIMFUEL, simulated high-burnup CANDU (CANadian Deuterium Uranium) fuel, was investigated in 0.1 mol{center_dot}dm{sup -3} NaClO{sub 4} solution (pH {approximately} 9.5) as a function of dissolved oxygen concentration using electrochemical techniques and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Electrodes were constructed of SIMFUEL pellets with compositions close to those of a natural UO{sub 2} fuel that has undergone burnup of 3 at% and 6 at%. The XPS analysis of freshly polished SIMFUEL pellets showed that the extent of uranium oxidation in SIMFUEL was equivalent to that in stoichiometric UO{sub 2}. The SIMFUEL electrodes showed higher conductivity and electrochemical reactivity than the pure UO{sub 2} electrodes. A comparison of the open circuit corrosion potentials of the SIMFUEL electrodes with that of a pure UO{sub 2} electrode in oxygenated solutions showed a much faster increase in the potential for the SIMFUEL electrodes at short times. This suggests that the initial stages of UO{sub 2} oxidation, i.e., UO{sub 2} {yields} UO{sub 2+x} {yields} UO{sub 2.33}, are facilitated by fission product impurities in the UO{sub 2} matrix. However, the {open_quotes}steady-state{close_quotes} oxidation of uranium in SIMFUEL by the dissolved O{sub 2} was similar to that observed in pure UO{sub 2} under similar conditions.
- OSTI ID:
- 62187
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-921101-Vol.294; TRN: 95:002922-0002
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 16. Materials Research Society (MRS) fall meeting, Boston, MA (United States), 30 Nov - 5 Dec 1992; Other Information: PBD: 1993; Related Information: Is Part Of Scientific basis for nuclear waste management XVI; Interrante, C.G. [ed.] [Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC (United States)]; Pabalan, R.T. [ed.] [Southwest Research Inst., San Antonio, TX (United States)]; PB: 959 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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