High-temperature oxidation behavior of the SiC layer of TRISO particles in low-pressure oxygen

Bratten, Adam; Jalan, Visharad; Shi, Meng; Gerczak, Tyler; Wen, Haiming; Doyle, Peter; Zhao, Haiyan; He, Xiaoqing

doi:10.1111/jace.19032

Title: High-temperature oxidation behavior of the SiC layer of TRISO particles in low-pressure oxygen

Journal Article · Fri Feb 03 00:00:00 EST 2023 · Journal of the American Ceramic Society

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jace.19032 · OSTI ID:1985401

^[1]; Jalan, Visharad ^[1]; Shi, Meng ^[2];

^[3]; Wen, Haiming ^[1]; Doyle, Peter ^[4]; Zhao, Haiyan ^[2]; He, Xiaoqing ^[5]

Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO (United States)
University of Idaho, Moscow, ID (United States)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Nuclear Fuel Element Performance Group
University of Missouri, Columbia, MO (United States)

Abstract Surrogate tristructural‐isotropic (TRISO)‐coated fuel particles were oxidized in 0.2 kPa O ₂ at 1200–1600°C to examine the behavior of the SiC layer and understand the mechanisms. The thickness and microstructure of the resultant SiO ₂ layers were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, focused ion beam, and transmission electron microscopy. The majority of the surface comprised smooth, amorphous SiO ₂ with a constant thickness indicative of passive oxidation. The apparent activation energy for oxide growth was 188 ± 8 kJ/mol and consistent across all temperatures in 0.2 kPa O ₂ . The relationship between activation energy and oxidation mechanism is discussed. Raised nodules of porous, crystalline SiO ₂ were dispersed across the surface, suggesting that active oxidation and redeposition occurred in those locations. These nodules were correlated with clusters of nanocrystalline SiC grains, which may facilitate active oxidation. These findings suggest that microstructural inhomogeneities such as irregular grain size influence the oxidation response of the SiC layer of TRISO particles and may influence their accident tolerance.

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Research Organization:: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE), Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP); USNRC; USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-00OR22725; NE0008753; NRC 31310018M0044

OSTI ID:: 1985401

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1968066

Journal Information:: Journal of the American Ceramic Society, Vol. 106, Issue 6; ISSN 0002-7820

Publisher:: American Ceramic SocietyCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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