Physicochemical transformations in multicomponent melts containing uranium, zirconium, and iron oxides and calcium silicates and aluminates

Abstract

The properties and crystallization nature of melts of the U⁴⁺–U⁶⁺–Zr⁴⁺–Fe²⁺–Fe³⁺–Ca²⁺–Si⁴⁺–Al³⁺–O^2– system were studied. It was found that the main factors changing the physicochemical characteristics of the melt are the concentration and valence state of uranium and the concentrations of iron oxide and silicon oxide. The results obtained in the analysis of the physicochemical properties of the multicomponent melt can be used in nuclear power engineering to preclude disintegration of a WWER type nuclear reactor in the course of a hypothetical severe reactor accident.