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Title: Microstructural Characterization of High Burn-up Mixed Oxide Fast Reactor Fuel

Abstract

High burn-up mixed oxide fuel with local burn-ups of 3.4–23.7% FIMA (fissions per initial metal atom) were destructively examined as part of a research project to understand the performance of oxide fuel at extreme burn-ups. Optical metallography of fuel cross-sections measured the fuel-to-cladding gap, clad thickness, and central void evolution in the samples. The fuel-to-cladding gap closed significantly in samples with burn-ups below 7–9% FIMA. Samples with burn-ups in excess of 7–9% FIMA had a reopening of the fuel-to-cladding gap and evidence of joint oxide-gain (JOG) formation. Signs of axial fuel migration to the top of the fuel column were observed in the fuel pin with a peak burn-up of 23.7% FIMA. Additionally, high burn-up structure (HBS) was observed in the two highest burn-up samples (23.7% and 21.3% FIMA). The HBS layers were found to be 3–5 times thicker than the layers found in typical LWR fuel. The results of the study indicate that formation of JOG and or HBS prevents any significant fuel-cladding mechanical interaction from occurring, thereby extending the potential life of the fuel elements.

Authors:
; ; ; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
DOE - NE
OSTI Identifier:
1111021
Report Number(s):
INL/JOU-12-27617
Journal ID: ISSN 0022-3115
DOE Contract Number:  
DE-AC07-05ID14517
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Journal of Nuclear Materials
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 441; Journal Issue: 1 - 3; Journal ID: ISSN 0022-3115
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS; 36 MATERIALS SCIENCE; high burn-up fuel; mixed oxide fuel; post irradiation examination

Citation Formats

Teague, Melissa C., Gorman, Brian P., Hayes, Steven L., Porter, Douglas L., and King, Jeffrey. Microstructural Characterization of High Burn-up Mixed Oxide Fast Reactor Fuel. United States: N. p., 2013. Web. doi:10.1016/j.jnucmat.2013.05.067.
Teague, Melissa C., Gorman, Brian P., Hayes, Steven L., Porter, Douglas L., & King, Jeffrey. Microstructural Characterization of High Burn-up Mixed Oxide Fast Reactor Fuel. United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2013.05.067
Teague, Melissa C., Gorman, Brian P., Hayes, Steven L., Porter, Douglas L., and King, Jeffrey. 2013. "Microstructural Characterization of High Burn-up Mixed Oxide Fast Reactor Fuel". United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2013.05.067.
@article{osti_1111021,
title = {Microstructural Characterization of High Burn-up Mixed Oxide Fast Reactor Fuel},
author = {Teague, Melissa C. and Gorman, Brian P. and Hayes, Steven L. and Porter, Douglas L. and King, Jeffrey},
abstractNote = {High burn-up mixed oxide fuel with local burn-ups of 3.4–23.7% FIMA (fissions per initial metal atom) were destructively examined as part of a research project to understand the performance of oxide fuel at extreme burn-ups. Optical metallography of fuel cross-sections measured the fuel-to-cladding gap, clad thickness, and central void evolution in the samples. The fuel-to-cladding gap closed significantly in samples with burn-ups below 7–9% FIMA. Samples with burn-ups in excess of 7–9% FIMA had a reopening of the fuel-to-cladding gap and evidence of joint oxide-gain (JOG) formation. Signs of axial fuel migration to the top of the fuel column were observed in the fuel pin with a peak burn-up of 23.7% FIMA. Additionally, high burn-up structure (HBS) was observed in the two highest burn-up samples (23.7% and 21.3% FIMA). The HBS layers were found to be 3–5 times thicker than the layers found in typical LWR fuel. The results of the study indicate that formation of JOG and or HBS prevents any significant fuel-cladding mechanical interaction from occurring, thereby extending the potential life of the fuel elements.},
doi = {10.1016/j.jnucmat.2013.05.067},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1111021}, journal = {Journal of Nuclear Materials},
issn = {0022-3115},
number = 1 - 3,
volume = 441,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2013},
month = {Tue Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2013}
}