Densification related pellet diameter shrinkage in low burnup thoria-base fuels (LWBR development program)

Technical Report · Fri Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1978

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6528673· OSTI ID:6528673

Spahr, G. L.

In-reactor densification of ThO/sub 2/ and ThO/sub 2/--UO/sub 2/ fuel of low burnup and low power operation (hence low temperature) was assessed by measuring fuel pellet diameter changes. Pellet diameter changes ranged from nil in a large grain, low temperature thoria pellet (98.9 percent theoretical density) to -1.06 percent in a small grain, moderate temperature ThO/sub 2/-30 w/o UO/sub 2/ pellet (93.8 percent theoretical density). A correlation was established between quantity of small pores (<2.3 ..mu..m diameter) and as-fabricated fuel grain size. An empirical equation, based on densification (pore closure) plus fuel swelling, was formulated for pellet diameter change as a function of initial grain size and fuel burnup.

• Research Organization: Bettis Atomic Power Lab., West Mifflin, PA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-11-0014
• OSTI ID: 6528673
• Report Number(s): WAPD-TM-1345
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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