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Title: Ex-reactor determination of thermal gap conductance between uranium dioxide--Zircaloy-4 interfaces. [BWR; PWR]

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6650643

A study of thermal gap conductance between UO/sub 2/ and Zircaloy-4 has been initiated utilizing a unique transient pulse technique: Modified Pulse Design (MPD)--a technique employing a heat pulse (laser) and signal detector to monitor the energy transmitted through UO/sub 2/-Zircaloy samples both in contact and separated by a gap. Initial experiments have been conducted as a function of temperature (to 873/sup 0/K), gas composition (He, He : Ar, Ar), and gap width 6.0 x 10/sup -4/ and 2.18 x 10/sup -3/ cm). The thermal gap conductance is dependent upon these variables, and comparison with calculated results using existing models for the temperature jump distance is made. A new concept involving direct energy transfer across narrow gaps by individual gas molecules is also considered.

Research Organization:
Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, WA (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
EY-76-C-06-1830
OSTI ID:
6650643
Report Number(s):
PNL-SA-6335; CONF-770847-9; TRN: 78-018025
Resource Relation:
Conference: 15. international thermal conductivity conference, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, 24 Aug 1977
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English