Published 1967 | Version v1
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Changes in uranium dioxide samples after can rupture

  • 1. Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d'Etudes Nucleaires

Description

Uranium dioxide samples obtained from punctured cans were irradiated in the presence of carbon dioxide at temperatures below 450 deg. C. During irradiation, the detection of fission products indicated that an increase of the outside surface of the samples had occurred. After irradiation, examination showed an increase in volume together with a partial oxidation of UO2 to U3O8. This evolution is attributed to the presence of free oxygen in the carbon dioxide. This hypothesis is confirmed by heating a non-irradiated sample for 150 hours in air at 300 deg. C. It is thus necessary to avoid the presence of air during the discharging of fuel elements having ruptured cans. (authors)

Availability note (English)

Available from INIS in electronic form

Abstract (French)

Des echantillons de bioxyde d'uranium dont les gaines etaient percees ont ete irradies en presence de gaz carbonique a temperature inferieure a 450 deg. C. En cours d'irradiation, une detection de produits de fission a indique une augmentation de la surface exterieure des echantillons. Apres irradiation, un examen a montre une augmentation de volume avec une oxydation partielle de UO2 en U3O8. La cause de cette evolution est attribuee a la presence d'oxygene libre dans le gaz carbonique. Cette hypothese est confirmee par un essai de chauffage d'un echantillon non irradie, pendant 150 heures dans de l'air a 300 deg. C. Il faut donc eviter toute trace d'air lors des dechargements d'elements combustibles presentant des ruptures de gaines. (auteurs)

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Additional details

Additional titles

Original title (French)
Evolution d'echantillons de bioxyde d'uranium apres rupture de gaine

Publishing Information

Imprint Pagination
[19 p.]
Report number
CEA-R--3329

Optional Information

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