Modeling of the effects of radiolysis on UO2-dissolution employing recent experimental data

• This study examines the effect of water radiolysis on the dissolution of uranium dioxide. A model is created to describe the system of uranium dioxide fragments in water, and the production and reactions of radiolysis products (using recent kinetic data). The system is evaluated under different conditions using MAKSIMA-CHEMIST. Conditions examined include presence of carbonate in the water and effects of hydrogen. The simulations are compared to experimental results on spent fuel dissolution. Surprisingly, the simulated U(VI)-release agrees within a factor of three with the experimentally found U(VI)-release. The inhibiting effect of hydrogen is clearly demonstrated by the simulations. From the results of the simulations we are also able to conclude that the main inhibiting effect of H-2 is the reaction with OH* and not the reduction of U(VI) to U(IV).

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Chemical Sciences (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

kon (subject category)