In-situ, time resolved monitoring of uranium in BFS:OPC grout. Part 1: Corrosion in water vapour

Sci Rep. 2017 Aug 11;7(1):7999. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-08601-x.

Abstract

Uranium encapsulated in grout was exposed to water vapour for extended periods of time. Through synchrotron x-ray powder diffraction and tomography measurements, uranium dioxide was determined the dominant corrosion product over a 50-week time period. The oxide growth rate initiated rapidly, with rates comparable to the U + H2O reaction. Over time, the reaction rate decreased and eventually plateaued to a rate similar to the U + H2O + O2 reaction. This behaviour was not attributed to oxygen ingress, but instead the decreasing permeability of the grout, limiting oxidising species access to the metal surface.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't