Title: Postirradiation characterization of palladium as an additive for fuel cladding chemical interaction mitigation in metallic fuel

Abstract

This work describes the microstructural and elemental characterization of irradiated metallic fuels containing palladium as an additive. The use of additives has been proposed to control Fuel-Cladding Chemical Interaction (FCCI) and thus to promote higher fuel utilization (i.e., higher burnup). In this work, Pd has been investigated as a potential additive to metallic fuel to bind lanthanides, impeding their migration and attack on the cladding. The influence of Pd on the microstructure, chemistry and performance of metallic fuel has been characterized via scanning electron microscopy for two metallic fuel designs—namely, annular and solid fuel. Pd was observed to play an important role in the chemistry of the fuel. Indeed, the addition of Pd leads to the formation of new phases. Pd was detected to combine not only with the lanthanides, as intended, but also with Zr, a main element of the fuel matrix. While Pd proved to be effective in preventing lanthanide migration and their attack on the cladding, the Pd-Zr compound may potentially lead to other unexpected fuel-performance issues, such as the formation of low-melting point phases and increased unalloyed U available for FCCI interaction with Fe in the cladding. Even the increase of Zr to 13wt%. did notmore » completely mitigate this adverse phenomenon generated by the Pd-Zr interaction. Furthermore, the efficacy of using this additive needs further investigation.« less

Authors:

Di Lemma, Fidelma Giulia  ^[1];

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Trowbridge, Tammy M.  ^[1];

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Capriotti, Luca  ^[1];

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Harp, Jason M.  ^[2];

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Benson, Michael T.  ^[1];

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Mariani, Robert D. ^[1]

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1. Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
2. Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Publication Date:

2021-11-13

Research Org.:

Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)

OSTI Identifier:

1832701

Alternate Identifier(s):

OSTI ID: 1868585; OSTI ID: 1903629

Report Number(s):

INL/JOU-21-61693-Rev000
Journal ID: ISSN 0022-3115; TRN: US2216760

Grant/Contract Number:  

AC05-00OR22725; AC07–05ID14517; AC07-05ID14517

Resource Type:

Accepted Manuscript

Journal Name:

Journal of Nuclear Materials

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Volume: 558; Journal ID: ISSN 0022-3115

Publisher:

Elsevier

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS; Metallic fuel; Advanced fuel design; PIE; FCCI; Additives; Pd