NSUF 17-1043: Microstructural characterization of 21% burn-up MOX fuel
Attaining fundamental understanding of fuel performance requires detailed characterization of irradiated fuels under variety of irradiation conditions. High radiation levels from irradiated fuels have made access to advanced tools necessary to characterize the equipment difficult due to contamination concerns. Investments in state-of-the-art equipment in nuclear fuels field have allowed access to equipment necessary to perform the characterization needed to understand fuel chemical and structural characteristics. The objective of the proposed research is to utilize such equipment to conduct detailed microstructural examination of the fuel pin with one of the highest burn-ups ever achieved in prototypic fast reactor fuel pins. The microstructure of high burn-up mixed oxide fuel with local burn-up of 21% fissions per initial metal atom (FIMA) will be examined. The high burn-up structure (HBS) formed in irradiated fuel will be examined in addition to the radial examination of the fuel pellet, which will be focused on understanding the effects of irradiation conditions on the local microstructure of the fuel. The proposal will conduct microstructural characterization of the fuel using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
Additional Info
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Abstract | Attaining fundamental understanding of fuel performance requires detailed characterization of irradiated fuels under variety of irradiation conditions. High radiation levels from irradiated fuels have made access to advanced tools necessary to characterize the equipment difficult due to contamination concerns. Investments in state-of-the-art equipment in nuclear fuels field have allowed access to equipment necessary to perform the characterization needed to understand fuel chemical and structural characteristics. The objective of the proposed research is to utilize such equipment to conduct detailed microstructural examination of the fuel pin with one of the highest burn-ups ever achieved in prototypic fast reactor fuel pins. The microstructure of high burn-up mixed oxide fuel with local burn-up of 21% fissions per initial metal atom (FIMA) will be examined. The high burn-up structure (HBS) formed in irradiated fuel will be examined in addition to the radial examination of the fuel pellet, which will be focused on understanding the effects of irradiation conditions on the local microstructure of the fuel. The proposal will conduct microstructural characterization of the fuel using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). |
| Award Announced Date | 2017-09-20T12:35:51.023 |
| Awarded Institution | Center for Advanced Energy Studies |
| Facility | Microscopy and Characterization Suite |
| Facility Tech Lead | Alina Zackrone, Yaqiao Wu |
| Irradiation Facility | None |
| PI | Riley Parrish |
| PI Email | [email protected] |
| Project Type | RTE |
| RTE Number | 1043 |