Status of spent UO sub 2 oxidation studies supporting air dry storage of spent fuel

The Behavior of Spent Fuel in Storage Project has been conducting research to obtain data to support recommendations of limits for interim storage of spent light-water reactor fuel. For the last four years, spent fuel fragments and defected rod segments have been exposed to humidified air to obtain oxidation data relative to dry storage of spent fuel. High weight gains and cladding splitting due to oxidation of irradiated UO{sub 2} have burnup or cover gas moisture levels have been observed. 5 ref., 7 figs.