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SiC-fission product reactions in HTGR TRISO UC/sub 2/ and UC/sub x/O/sub y/ fissile fuel: II, reactions under isothermal conditions

Conference · · J. Am. Ceram. Soc.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5648894
The performance of irradiated TRISO UC/sub 2/ and TRISO UC/sub 4/ /sub 3/O/sub 1/ /sub 3/ HTGR fissile fuel particles was studied by postirradiation isothermal heating at 1600 to 2000/sup 0/C to evaluate HTGR fuel performance models. Test conditions were similar to reactor conditions predicted for hypothetical core heatup events evaluated during safety and licensing studies. Less than 2% of the particles experienced failure of all coating layers with rapid gaseous and metallic fission product release (pressure vessel failure). Lanthanide fission product, Cs-137, and Kr-85 release occurred in the remaining particles by diffusion through intact outer pyrocarbon layers after SiClanthanide fission product reactions had penetrated the SiC layers. The rates of SiC-fission product reactions depended on the fission density of the test samples and were less than or equal to those observed in a thermal gradient. Test results showed the HTGR fuel performance models to be very conservative.
Research Organization:
General Atomic Co., San Diego, CA
DOE Contract Number:
EY-76-C-03-0167
OSTI ID:
5648894
Conference Information:
Journal Name: J. Am. Ceram. Soc.; (United States) Journal Volume: 61:11-12
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English