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Zirconium hydride as a storage medium for tritium

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7143749· OSTI ID:7143749
Conditions necessary for rapid production (approximately 20 minutes preparation time) have been determined for a 6-g sample of zirconium hydride with a composition of ZrH/sub 1.5/ to ZrH/sub 1.9/. Two alternate sets of conditions were found to produce a hydride of suitable physical integrity for tritium storage: the first condition involves isothermal absorption of H/sub 2/ at 760 torr and 600/sup 0/C; the second involves addition of H/sub 2/ at 760 torr as the temperature is increased from 600/sup 0/C until absorption ceases. The latter method appears to produce a hydride which is essentially crack-free. Small amounts of air in the hydrogen were found to have a very deleterious effect on the hydriding reaction. The cost of zirconium is a disadvantage. However, the use of scrap metal may make the method more attractive and the possible use of irradiated Zircaloy cladding hulls would be even more economically favorable. Questions to be answered mainly concern the actinide and other residual activity remaining in the hulls after decladding. Zircaloy-2 tubing, cladding scrap, was studied and found to be very easily hydrided. Hydrides were produced from 0.25- and 0.50-in. diameter Zircaloy rods, 0.50-in. diameter Zircaloy tubing, and a 0.25-in. diameter zirconium rod.
Research Organization:
Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, Wash. (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
E(45-1)-1830
OSTI ID:
7143749
Report Number(s):
BNWL-2083
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English