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Published: 1962

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An experimental study was made to determine the influence of burnup on the fractional release of fission products from uranium metal at elevated temperatures. Neutron irradiation levels were varied from 2 x 10/sup 14/ nvt (6.7 x 10/sup 14/ Mwd/t) to 4 x 10/sup 20/ nvt (1340 Mwd/t) while all other conditions remained constant. Metal temperatures explored were 1000, 1200, and 1440 deg C. Bare uranium cylinders weighing approximately 12 grams were heated out-ofreactor and the liberated fractions of ten fission products plus uranium, plutonium, and neptunium were measured. The variation of the fractional releases of iodine, xenon, and cesium with irradiation level was shown, as was the invariance of the release of certain other elements with burnup. The uranium oxidation rate was found to increase with irradiation levels above l0/sup 18/ nvt. (auth).