BURNUP ENHANCEMENT FOR RE-ENTERING NAP SYSTEMS,
Abstract
The feasibility of enhancing the atmospheric burnup of a ZrH-uranium nuclear fuel upon reentry from orbit by addition of small amounts of alloying elements to the fuel was studied. Thirty-eight different modified fuel compositions were prepared and evaluated. The effects of various additives on fluidity, fabricability, ease of hydriding, hardness, and microstructure of the fuel alloy were determined. Thirty-two separate model fuel elements representing 25 most promising alloys based upon their apparent fluidity and ease of hydriding were exposed to simulated re-entry conditions in the exhaust of an oxygen-hydrogen rocket motor. Samples were exposed for 2.5 to 8.0 seconds at a stagnation heat flux level of approximately 370 Btu/(sq ft) (sec). Ablation was noted in all samples. Under the test conditions imposed, the products of ablation of the reference hydride fuel were definitely molten. A phenomenology of the ablation of the reference hydride fuel was described in some detail. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0423411
Entities
People
- Ellis L. Foster Jr.
Organizations
- Battelle Memorial Institute