Determination of solution enthalpy of zirconium in liquid aluminum

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Experimental study and thermodynamic modelling of the Ag-Cd-In system

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Enthalpy of mixing in the Ag-Cd-In ternary liquid phase

International audienceMost pressurized water reactor control rods are composed of the Ag-In-Cd neutron absorber alloy (80 wt% Ag, 15 wt% In, 5 wt% Cd). Under accidental conditions such as a loss of coolant, vaporization of the metallic elements from the Ag-In-Cd alloy becomes important to consider in the evaluation of the fission product release to the environment. The enthalpy of mixing has been measured in the ternary Ag-Cd-In liquid for five isopleth sections by silver and cadmium drop dissolution calorimetry at 723 K. The limits of the biphasic solid + liquid domain are derived from the slopes changes on the partial mixing enthalpy curves. A tentative partial isothermal section at 723 K is proposed. (c) 2016 Elsevier Ltd

Critical evaluation of experimental data of solution enthalpy of zirconium in liquid aluminum

International audienceThe aim of the present paper is to propose a new interpretation of the zirconium dissolution in liquid aluminum calorimetry experiments performed in the past in order to reconcile some apparently contradictory results and observations. It is supported by the development of a dissolution kinetics model. We show that probably most of the experiments interpreted in terms of dissolution must be considered in terms of (partial or total) transformation of zirconium into zirconium aluminide (Al 3 Zr). In addition, on the basis of the developed model, we propose some recommendations in terms of experimental conditions to improve the dissolution process. These recommendations are consistent with some empirical rules derived in the past. It also puts in question past standard enthalpy measurements of some compounds in the Cu-Zr, Ni-Zr, Co-Zr and U-Zr systems