Oxidation of Uranium by Partially Decomposed Carbon Dioxide

The oxidation rate of U rods by partially decomposed CO2 was measured thermogravimetrically and compared with that by undecomposed CO2, in an attempt to study the effect of ionizing radiation on the compatibility of U with CO2. The decomposition was by silent discharge. Measurement was performed for cases of 0.29%, 0.44% and 0.68% decomposed CO2, at 500° and 600°C. It was found that the oxidation rate rises almost linearly with increasing percentage of decomposition of the CO2. At 500°C the oxidation rate with 0.68% decomposed CO2 was eighteen times higher than with undecomposed CO2, and five times higher at 600°C. Such increase was related to O2 content in the decomposed gas.