Complete Survey of Fuel Candidates for Microreactor Purposes

Technical Report · Thu Aug 31 04:00:00 EDT 2023

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1998089· OSTI ID:1998089

Widgeon Paisner, Scarlett ^[1]; Woolstenhulme, Nicolas E. ^[1]; Yacout, Abdellatif M. ^[1]; Trellue, Holly R. ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

This report summarizes various fuel types that may be applicable to several microreactor concepts, which are defined as (1) very high temperature reactors (VHTR), (2) sodium fast reactors (SFR), (3) system for nuclear auxiliary power (SNAP) reactors, (4) gas fast reactors (GFR), and (5) molten salt reactors (MSR). The fuel systems that were assessed include: uranium mononitride (UN), uranium monocarbide (UC), uranium dioxide (UO₂), uranium oxycarbide (UCO) Tristructural Isotropic (TRISO), UN TRISO, mixed oxide (MOX), metallic fuels, and metal hydrides. While UCO TRISO has undergone significant testing through the advanced gas reactor (AGR) program, the very high cost necessitates consideration of other fuel types. UN and UC were identified as fuels that should receive further investigation due to their thermophysical and mechanical properties. Minimal irradiation performance data shows that these fuels are good candidate fuels for microreactors.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE), Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Supply Chain
• DOE Contract Number: 89233218CNA000001
• OSTI ID: 1998089
• Report Number(s): LA-UR--23-29920
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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