Zirconium metal-water oxidation kinetics. IV. Reaction rate studies. [BWR:PWR]

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Abstract
The isothermal rates of oxide, oxygen-stabilized alpha, and Xi layer growth and of total oxygen consumption of Zircaloy-4 in steam were determined from 900 to 1500/sup 0/C and described in terms of analytical expression for the appropriate parabolic rate constants. Comparison of the results with existing rate data demonstrates the relative conservatism of the Baker-Just correlation. Scoping tests of the effects on isothermal oxidation rates of such system parameters as steam flow rate, injection temperature, and purity and of small changes in alloy composition showed these variables to have small or negligible effects. Experimental transient temperature oxidation behavior was found to be predictable by computer codes designed for that purpose; the only exception found was the case of certain hypothetical two-peak LOCA's. The probable cause for this exception is discussed in terms of the monoclinic-tetragonal phase transformation of the oxide. An error analysis of the oxidation data is presented in both statistical and analytical terms, and possible kinetic effects of hydrogen dissolved in oxidized samples are considered and concluded to be negligible.

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