Thermodynamics of Nuclear Materials

In general, thermodynamics is the study of laws governing processes which involve heat changes. It includes the study of conditions under which various substances exist in chemical equilibria, the consequences of chemical reactions and the interchange of heat and other forms of energy when a chemical re action occurs. In the field of nuclear technology, it is necessary to know how construction materials melt or evaporate, the solubility of fuels, the chances of chemical reactions between various materials used, and the energy of reaction if a reaction takes place. Together with the study of certain other properties of nuclear materials, thermodynamics provides one of the fundamental guides in modern nuclear technology, especially in the development of high-temperature reactors and of new methods for the reprocessing of spent fuels.