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Title: Demonstration of fuel resistant to pellet-cladding interaction. Phase I. Final report

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6019484· OSTI ID:6019484

This program has as its ultimate objective the demonstration of an advanced fuel design that is resistant to the failure mechanism known as fuel pellet-cladding interaction (PCI). Two fuel concepts are being developed for possible demonstration within this program: (a) Cu-barrier fuel, and (b) Zr-liner fuel. These advanced fuels (known collectively as barrier fuels) have special fuel cladding designed to protect the Zircaloy cladding tube from the harmful effects of localized stress, and reactive fission products during reactor service. This is the final report for PHASE 1 of this program. Support tests have shown that the barrier fuel resists PCI far better than does the conventional Zircaloy-clad fuel. Power ramp tests thus far have shown good PCI resistance for Cu-barrier fuel at burnup > 12 MWd/kg-U and for Zr-liner fuel > 16 MWd/kg-U. The program calls for continued testing to still higher burnup levels in PHASE 2.

Research Organization:
General Electric Co., San Jose, CA (USA). Nuclear Energy Engineering Div.
DOE Contract Number:
EN-77-C-02-4473
OSTI ID:
6019484
Report Number(s):
GEAP-23773-2; TRN: 79-014419
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English