NSUF 19-1779: Understand the atomic positions of the metallic fission product in UCO Fuel Kernels and Determine the exact stoichiometry of UC, UO phase of Irradiated TRISO Fuel Particles by Using Titan Themis 200 with EELS characterization Capability
TRISO fuel is considered for multiple applications including high temperature gas reactors, small modular reactors and accident tolerant fuel for Light water reactors. The post-irradiation characterization is highly desired for improving the knowledge in understanding the fuel performance at normal and accident conditions. Providing a qualification data and a pathway for further improvement of the fuel fabrication process for new generation advanced gas reactors, are additional key objectives. In this proposal, we plan to determine the stoichiometry of UC, UO phase in irradiated AGR-1 and AGR-2 fuel kernels by using electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) and understand the atomic positions of metallic fission product precipitates by using atomic resolution Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy. The proposed EELS work and STEM work are aimed to complement our previously acquired knowledge using the Titan Themis 200 or Talos F200X with ChemiSTEM, particularly for extensively quantifying the oxygen and carbon elements and determine the atomistic structures of previously identified intermetallic fission products. The anticipated project outcomes will significantly improve our knowledges in the fuels’ microstructural and elemental evolutions upon different fuel fabrication variants. The project PI is fully committed to meet the NSUF required research schedule and deliverable expectations.
Additional Info
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Awarded Institution | University of Florida |
| Embargo End Date | 2026-02-27 |
| Facility Tech Lead | Alina Montrose, Jeff Terry |
| NSUF Call | FY 2019 RTE 2nd Call |
| PI | Zhenyu Fu |
| PIE Facilities | Irradiated Materials Characterization Laboratory |
| Project Member | Douglas Porter - Idaho National Laboratory |
| Project Member | Yong Yang, Associate Professor - University of Florida (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0247-6219) |
| Project Member | Dr. Lingfeng He, Associate Professor - North Carolina State University (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2763-1462) |
| Project Member | Dr. Isabella van Rooyen, Senior Technical Advisor Advanced Material Systems - Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8524-938X) |
| Project Member | Mr. Zhenyu Fu, Research Assistant - University of Florida (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0800-3121) |
| Project Notes | Awarded on 05/14/2019 |
| Project Type | RTE |
| RTE Number | 1779 |