Effects of UO2/Zircaloy-4 Mole Ratios on Reaction of UO2 Fuel with Molten Zircaloy-4

Dissolution of UO₂ crucibles by molten Zircaloy-4 (Zry) was investigated in the temperature range of 2,223-2,373 K and for specimens having UO₂/Zry mole ratios between 7 and 18.2. The uranium concentration in the Zry melt rapidly increased during initial reaction time 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 model that takes into account the change of contact surface area/melt volume ratio with reaction time. The saturated uranium concentration in the Zry melt was inversely proportional to the U0₂/Zry mole ratio. An empirical correlation of saturated uranium concentration in the Zry melt was obtained as a function of UO₂/Zry mole ratios and reaction temperature. This study of the empirical correlation was intended to estimate maximum UO₂ fuel dissolution by molten Zry cladding during severe fuel damage accidents for three different reactor type fuels.