Metallurgical Examination of Bore Samples from the Three Mile Island Unit 2 Reactor Core
- 2 September 1989
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Taylor & Francis in Nuclear Technology
- Vol. 87 (1) , 120-136
- https://doi.org/10.13182/nt89-a27642
Abstract
Samples of the bores obtained from the melted core of the Three Mile Island Unit 2 (TMI-2) reactor were investigated as part of the TMI-2 accident evaluation program. The samples included fuel rod segments, control rod cladding, melted core rocks, and powder debris from various bores into the reactor core.The microstructure of the specimens was determined by examination and analysis of surface and cross section by means of electro-optical techniques (including energy-dispersive X-ray scanning electron microscopy and microprobe analysis). Gamma spectroscopy and a fission product release study were also performed on the specimens.The melted core rock specimens obtained from the G12 bores were mostly porous ceramic mixtures of uranium and zirconium oxides in the form of a fine eutectic of UO2- and ZrO2-rich phases and oxidized ferrous material derived from the stainless steel components. The rock specimens showed variations in porosity and ferrous content but a similar UO2-ZrO2 eutectic structure.Fis...Keywords
This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit:
- Dissolution of uranium dioxide by molten zircaloy: I. Diffusion-controlled reactionJournal of Nuclear Materials, 1988