Results from ORNL Characterization of Nominal 350 ?m NUCO Kernels from the BWXT 69300 Composite
- ORNL
This document is a compilation of characterization data obtained on the nominal 350 {micro}m natural enrichment uranium oxide/uranium carbide kernels (NUCO) produced by BWXT for the Advanced Gas Reactor Fuel dEvelopment and Qualification Program. 5 kg of kernels were produced. G73B-NU-69300R was a 4.9 kg composite. G73B-NU-69301 was a 100 g composite. Size, shape, density, and microstructural analysis were performed on samples riffled from a 100 g sublot (69300R-38) riffled by BWXT from the 69300 composite. Measurements were made using optical microscopy to determine the size and shape of the kernels. Hg porosimetry was performed to measure density. The results are summarized in Table 1-1. Values in the table are for the composite and are calculated at 95% confidence from the measured values of a random sample taken from the 69300R-38 sublot. The NUCO kernel composite met all the specifications in Table 1-1 except the aspect ratio specification. This failure was due in part to broken kernels and in part to very irregularly shaped (bumpy) kernels which apparently came from one batch used for the composite. This abnormally shaped batch made up about 1/4 of the composite. The average open porosity of the kernels was fairly low (0.34 {+-} 0.14%). There appeared to be some closed porosity throughout the kernels but a quantitative measure was not obtained. A brief study of the microstructure of the kernels in the composite showed an oxide outer layer of varying thickness related to the process batch surrounding a center region of carbide and oxide zones. X-ray diffraction showed a phase distribution of around 69-74 wt% oxide versus 26-31 wt% carbide. Most of the carbide was in the form of uranium monocarbide (UC).
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC05-00OR22725
- OSTI ID:
- 974585
- Report Number(s):
- ORNL/TM-2005/545; AF3610200; NEAF260; ORNL/CF-2004/07; TRN: US1002561
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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