Hello, I have a nuclear fuel with a certain density is given, The elements in the fuel are u-235,u238,O,Al. I have weight percentage of the elements also given.
Now, this said density of the fuel and the weight percentage of the elements are for a certain fuel enrichments of u-235. It's 19.7%. Now, I understand, if I want to make the fuel enrichments to 45% enriched u-235. Only the u-235 and u-238 weight percentage is changed and "O" and "Al" weight percentage remain same.
Now, with increasing the u-235 weight percentage in terms increases the less heavier concentration and decreases the more heavier element u-238 concentration. So, to my understanding this should change the density of the fuel.
Now, I can calculate the weight percentage of u-235 and u-238 with 45% enriched u-235, but, with the above data how do I calculate the density of the modified enriched fuel?
Please guide. Any pointer is much appreciated. Advance thank you.
Weight fractions are not sufficient to calculate the density. If you do not have the mass and the volume, you must know at least the compound that you are using; in that case your best bet is to ask "uncle Google" to provide the material data.
You might find the MATSSF code useful for calculating the isotopic or elemental composition of mixtures.
"https://www-nds.iaea.org/naa/matssf/"
Cheers, Andrej
Not exactly. If this is a sensitivity study, changing the enrichment will in principle affect the density and the weight fractions of all components, but the number densities of Al, O and total U will remain the same, only the atom-fraction of U-235 and U-238 will change (their sum remaining the same). Be careful: enrichment is expressed by weight fractions and not atom fractions: 45% enrichment does not mean 45% atoms of U-235 due to mass difference.
in composite materials if you have the volume fractions of the constituents. you may use the equation in the attached file to find density
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