Storage of LWR (light-water-reactor) spent fuel in air

Technical Report · Thu Nov 30 23:00:00 EST 1989

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7272028· OSTI ID:7272028

Thomas, L E; Charlot, L A; Coleman, J E ^[1]; Knoll, R W ^[2]

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1. Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
2. Johnson Controls, Inc., Madison, WI (USA)

An experimental program is being conducted at Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) to determine the oxidation response of light-water-reactor (LWR) spent fuels under conditions appropriate to fuel storage in air. The program is designed to investigate several independent variables that might affect the oxidation behavior of spent fuel. Included are temperature (135 to 230{degree}C), fuel burnup (to about 34 MWd/kgM), reactor type (pressurized and boiling water reactors), moisture level in the air, and the presence of a high gamma field. In continuing tests with declad spent fuel and nonirradiated UO{sub 2} specimens, oxidation rates were monitored by weight-gain measurements and the microstructures of subsamples taken during the weighing intervals were characterized by several analytical methods. The oxidation behavior indicated by weight gain and time to form powder will be reported in Volume III of this series. The characterization results obtained from x-ray diffractometry, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and Auger electron spectrometry of oxidized fuel samples are presented in this report. 28 refs., 21 figs., 3 tabs.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE/RW
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 7272028
• Report Number(s): PNL-6640-Vol.2; ON: DE90006477
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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