Linear energy transfer of fission fragments of 235U and nucleation of gas bubbles in aqueous solutions of uranyl nitrate
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Winter, George E
Cooling, Christopher M
Eaton, Matthew D
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Fission fragments emitted in a fissile solution create tiny gas bubbles, the size of which is determined by the linear energy transfer (LET) of the particles. The LET of fission fragments of 235U in aqueous solutions of uranyl nitrate has been determined, and using methods adapted from the literature, the size of gas bubbles generated along the tracks of these particles has been estimated, revealing important variations with respect to particle LET and solution properties. Empirical correlations are presented for the maximum radius of radiolytic gas bubbles in unsaturated solutions of uranyl nitrate as a function of solution temperature and concentration. These can be used to predict the critical concentration of dissolved hydrogen necessary for the appearance of gas voids during nuclear criticality transients. The findings are intended for use in a future model of nuclear criticality transients in aqueous fissile solutions for the purposes of nuclear criticality safety assessment.
Date Issued
2020-07
Date Acceptance
2020-02-03
Citation
Annals of Nuclear Energy, 2020, 142, pp.1-19
ISSN
0306-4549
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Start Page
1
End Page
19
Journal / Book Title
Annals of Nuclear Energy
Volume
142
Copyright Statement
© 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. This manuscript is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Licence http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (E
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (E
Identifier
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306454920300773?via%3Dihub
Grant Number
EP/R511547/1
EP/J002011/1
EP/K503733/1
Subjects
0299 Other Physical Sciences
0915 Interdisciplinary Engineering
Energy
Publication Status
Published online
Article Number
107379
Date Publish Online
2020-03-04