Thermodynamic properties of a high pressure subcritical UF6/He gas volume (irradiated by an external source)

A computer simulation study concerning a compressed fissioning UF6 gas is presented. The compression is to be achieved by a ballistic piston compressor. Data on UF6 obtained with this compressor were incorporated in the simulation study. As a neutron source to create the fission events in the compressed gas, a fast burst reactor was considered. The conclusion is that it takes a neutron flux in excess of 10 to the 15th power n/sec sq cm to produce measurable increases in pressure and temperature, while a flux in excess of 10 to 19th power n/sq cm sec would probably damage the compressor.