Behavior of melts in the UO2-SiO2 system in the liquid-liquid phase separation region

Abstract

The behavior of melts in the uranium oxide-silicon dioxide system is experimentally investigated in air upon induction melting in a "cold crucible." The existence of the two-phase liquid region in this system is confirmed. It is demonstrated that the melts absorb oxygen from air, which leads to crystallization of the UO2.25 compound upon cooling. In the case of considerable internal heat release, sharp cooling of the melt surface results in the liberation of gas, which brings about bulging and, sometimes, melt ejection from the crucible. © 2009 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.