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A model for the evolution of gas pressure and composition during sealed storage of metallic uranium fuel

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Nuclear Engineering, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 52-54). / A model has been developed to predict the pressure generation and concentrations of oxygen and hydrogen gas in a Multi-Canister Overpack (MCO) containing metallic uranium N Reactor fuel during staging, drying, conditioning, and storage at the Hanford Site. Ass0ciated uncertainties with each parameter were also calculated. The mechanisms that were included in the analysis were: -- Uranium Corrosion in which oxygen is consumed, or water is consumed and hydrogen is produced, -- Uranium Hydriding in which hydrogen is consumed, and -- Radiolysis in which water is consumed and hydrogen and oxygen are produced. The model characterizes the evolution of gases inside the MCO for the three ,egimes in which the fuel will be staged or stored. Prior to treatment the fuel will be immersed in water in the MCO. Proceeding the first treatment step, the MCO will contain no free water, but water vapor will contribute to a moist atmosphere. After the last treatment step, the inside of the MCO will be dry with only tightly-bound chemisorbed water remaining associated with sludge that will be present with the fuel. The model shows that for likely conditions inside the MCO, the container will not pressurize during its expected service life. The model also shows the effects that varying parameters have on the final pressure. / by Lisa Stiles Shell. / S.M.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:MIT/oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/9589
Date January 1997
CreatorsShell, Lisa Stiles
ContributorsR.G. Ballinger and R.M. Latanison., Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering
PublisherMassachusetts Institute of Technology
Source SetsM.I.T. Theses and Dissertation
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis
Format126 leaves, 6482049 bytes, 6481810 bytes, application/pdf, application/pdf, application/pdf
RightsM.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission., http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

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