Radiolytic Gas Production from Aluminum Coupons (Alloy 1100 and 6061) in Helium Environments-Assessing the Extended Storage of Aluminum Clad Spent Nuclear Fuel.

ABSTRACT: Corrosion of aluminium alloy clad nuclear fuel, during reactor operation and under subsequent wet storage conditions, promotes the formation of aluminium hydroxide and oxyhydroxide layers. These hydrated mineral phases and the chemisorbed and physisorbed waters on their surfaces are susceptible to radiation-induced processes that yield molecular hydrogen gas (H₂), which has the potential to complicate the long-term storage and disposal of aluminium clad nuclear fuel through flammable and explosive gas mixture formation, alloy embrittlement, and pressurization. Here, we present a systematic study of the radiolytic formation of H₂ from aluminium alloy 1100 (AA1100) and 6061 (AA6061) coupons in "dry" (~0% relative humidity) and "wet" (50% relative humidity) helium enviro

SUBMITTER: Conrad JK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9607483 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature