Calorimetric investigation of (Pb_0.45Bi_0.55)-U system

Lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) is being considered as a coolant of future high temperature reactors. As lead and bismuth are good spallation target material, they are planned to be used in accelerator driven reactor systems (ADS). Under the clad breach conditions these elements may come in direct contact with uranium of metallic fuel. In our labs, we had earlier investigated binary interactions of U-Pb and U-Bi. To assess interaction behaviour of 'U' with the eutectic melt, it was planned to measure enthalpy of mixing of LBE-U and compares it with the binary mixing. SEM-EDS studies of the product formed after mixing of LBE and 'U' were carried out to establish coexisting phases and their compositions. UPb₃ is Pb-rich compound of U-Pb and UBi₂ is Bi-rich compound of U-Bi. So addition of 'U' in (Pb_0.45Bi_0.55) will result in formation of the more stable compound among UPb₃ and UBi₂