Yk. Mok et Yk. Yoon, EFFECTS OF UO2 ZIRCALOY-4 MOLE RATIOS ON REACTION OF UO2 FUEL WITH MOLTEN ZIRCALOY-4, Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 31(5), 1994, pp. 432-442
Dissolution Of UO2 crucibles by molten Zircaloy-4 (Zry) was investigat
ed in the temperature range of 2,223 approximately 2,373 K and for spe
cimens having UO2/Zry mole ratios between 7 and 18.2. The uranium conc
entration in the Zry melt rapidly increased during initial reaction ti
me and approached saturated values, depending on reaction temperature
and UO2/Zry mole ratio. Kinetics of uranium concentration increase in
the melt was analyzed based on a-natural convection mass transfer mode
l that takes into account the change of contact surface area/melt volu
me ratio with reaction time. The saturated uranium concentration in th
e Zry melt was inversely proportional to the UO2/Zry mole ratio. An em
pirical correlation of saturated uranium concentration in the Zry melt
was obtained as a function Of UO2/Zry mole ratios and reaction temper
ature. This study of the empirical correlation was intended to estimat
e maximum UO2 fuel dissolution by molten Zry cladding during severe fu
el damage accidents for three different reactor type fuels.