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Accident tolerant fuel cladding development: Promise, status, and challenges

Journal Article · · Journal of Nuclear Materials
 [1]
  1. Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

The motivation for transitioning away from zirconium-based fuel cladding in light water reactors to significantly more oxidation-resistant materials, thereby enhancing safety margins during severe accidents, is laid out. A review of the development status for three accident tolerant fuel cladding technologies, namely coated zirconium-based cladding, ferritic alumina-forming alloy cladding, and silicon carbide fiber–reinforced silicon carbide matrix composite cladding, is offered. Technical challenges and data gaps for each of these cladding technologies are highlighted. Full development towards commercial deployment of these technologies is identified as a high priority for the nuclear industry.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725
OSTI ID:
1471930
Journal Information:
Journal of Nuclear Materials, Journal Name: Journal of Nuclear Materials Journal Issue: C Vol. 501; ISSN 0022-3115
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Cited By (3)

Oxidation Characteristics of Two FeCrAl Alloys in Air and Steam from 800°C to 1300°C journal June 2018
Effectiveness of Cr-Coated Zr-Alloy Clad in Delaying Fuel Degradation for a PWR During a Station Blackout Event journal August 2019
Hydrogen Interaction with Deep Surface Modified Zr-1Nb Alloy by High Intensity Ti Ion Implantation journal December 2018

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