Postirradiation examination results of several metallic fuel alloys and forms from low burnup AFC irradiations

Harp, Jason M.; Chichester, Heather J. M.; Capriotti, Luca

doi:10.1016/j.jnucmat.2018.07.003

Postirradiation examination results of several metallic fuel alloys and forms from low burnup AFC irradiations

Journal Article · Tue Jul 03 00:00:00 EDT 2018 · Journal of Nuclear Materials

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2018.07.003· OSTI ID:1484473

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Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)

Several different U based metallic nuclear fuel alloys and forms were irradiated as part of the Advanced Fuels Campaign (AFC) series of irradiation experiments. Results from postirradiation examinations of the AFC-3A and AFC-3B are presented here. In this irradiation, U alloyed with Mo, Zr, and Zr with Pd were investigated. Different geometric forms (solid, annular), smear densities and bonding media (sodium, helium) were also irradiated and evaluated. All fuel forms were irradiated in ferritic-martensitic HT-9 cladding. Examination of the irradiated fuel included neutron radiography, evaluation of the distribution of gamma-ray emitting radionuclides, dimensional inspection, fission gas release analysis, optical microscopy, and chemical analysis. No in-pile failure was observed with this fuel. Neutron radiography, gamma spectrometry, and dimensional inspections indicated the fuel largely performed acceptably. Optical microscopy revealed significant fuel-cladding interaction between the Mo based alloys and the cladding. The Zr based alloys generally performed better although some forms revealed behaviors that present specific fabrication challenges such as tighter fabrication tolerances that will need to be better controlled to match historical U-Zr fuel performance. Furthermore, the addition of Pd as an additive to prevent fuel cladding chemical interaction (FCCI) also appears to present some challenges to fuel performance.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC07-05ID14517

OSTI ID:: 1484473

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1548022
OSTI ID: 22752192

Report Number(s):: INL-JOU--18-50222-Rev000

Journal Information:: Journal of Nuclear Materials, Journal Name: Journal of Nuclear Materials Journal Issue: C Vol. 509; ISSN 0022-3115

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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