A Study on Terminal Velocity for Scatter Prevention of Powders in a Voloxidizer for a Hot Cell Demonstration

A voloxidizer for hot cell demonstrations that handles spent fuel of high radiation virulence in a limited space should have a small size and not scatter in its outlet. This study predicts the terminal velocity of U3O8 by using the terminal velocity of SiO2, which would determine the optimum air flux. We obtained a theory terminal velocity of SiO2 and conducted an experiment for verification. In a relative form of density ratio vs. particle size, and a theory slop ratio of SiO2, U3O8, we predict the terminal velocity and flux of U3O8. And through an oxidation experiment, we verify the theory form to detect the existence of U3O8 powder in a discharge filter. We have conducted a scattering experimentation of U3O8 powder using an existing experimental oxidizer in a mock-up. The optimum flow and experimental results of U3O8 for scatter prevention have been applied for the design of the demonstration oxidizer, and the operation conditions of the oxidizer were produced.