Objective
In order to complete the PAHR programme, it is necessary to examine two capsules: one has been irradiated in reactor BR2 at Mol (Piramid 1 experiment); the other in the Melusine reactor at Grenoble (Celia I experiment). This work is needed to relate in-pile behaviour to (a) our previous examinations of specimens from out-of-pile experiments and (b) code-validation predictions.
Progress to end 1990
During the present year equipment for metallographic preparation of specimens inside the hot cells has been installed and commissioned. Furthermore the work license for the L.C.S.R. facility has been obtained, according to the standard specified in article 55 of DPR 185.
Detailed description of work foreseen in 1991 (expected results)
(a) Capsule "Piramid I" containing uranium dioxide and sodium has been irradiated at 1200C in reactor BR2 at Mol. After removal of sodium, the capsule was embedded in resin and cut axially into 4 parts. One of the quarter-cylinders will be further sectioned, embedded and polished for metallography. The morphology of the urania particulate bed will be determined: in particular the porosity and particle size destribution in the radial and the axial directions are important.
(b) Capsule "Celia I", irradiated in the Melusine reactor at Grenoble, contained a mixed particulate bed for urania and stainless steel AISI 316 L, under sodium. The maximum temperature recorded by ultrasonic thermometers exceeded 2000C. However uncertainty remains over the temperature distribution: higher temperatures may have been reached elsewhere in the bed. Specimens will be prepared using the same procedure as for the piramid I capsule. Metallography will characterize the molten steel distribution, the particle size distribution of the urania and the steel, and possible interactions with sodium.
Topic(s)
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21020 Ispra
Italy