Under the framework of cooperation with the department of engineering physics of tsinghua university in China, scientists from the Moscow institute of engineering physics and the national nuclear energy research university of Russia studied the possibility of using isotopically modified
molybdenum instead of
zirconium alloy to make fuel elements for nuclear reactors, and proved that this method can improve the safety of nuclear reactors. The findings appear in the journal chemical engineering research and design.
Inside the nuclear fuel element are sealed several centimetres of uranium dioxide pellets. The element cladding must have good corrosion resistance, corrosion resistance and heat resistance without affecting the neutron absorption of the reactor. At present, most of the commercial nuclear power plant shell in Russia is mainly made of zirconium alloy. But it can react with water and generate heat, producing hydrogen and accelerating the degradation of fuel rod coating, which is very dangerous in the case of water-cooled nuclear power plant accidents, which is also the main reason for the explosion of the fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan.
So scientists have been discussing the possibility of replacing zirconium alloys with the refractory metal molybdenum. It has the same good corrosion resistance as zirconium and higher thermal conductivity than zirconium. This study provides a knowledge reserve for the large-scale production of isotope modified molybdenum in Russia and the design of separation equipment.
