Oxidation of irradiated uranium in moist air

Recent results on the oxidation of irradiated uranium in air with varying moisture contents, at atmospheric pressure, have been collated with previously available data to revise the generalized expressions for calculating best estimate reaction rates of irradiated uranium in these environments. The expressions derived apply over the temperature range 75-3000C, for water vapour partial pressures from 1 Pa to 100 kPa and for up to 60% local swelling (porosity) of irradiated uranium. The predicted oxidation rates are in good agreement with those measured experimentally over these ranges of environmental conditions. (author)