NSUF 19-1773: BET and TEM characterization of nuclear graphite irradiated at temperatures below 230°C

Graphite is the moderator material of some Generation IV reactors concepts and British Advanced Gas-cooled Reactors (AGR). Failure of multiple graphite components is considered to be one of the limiting factors for plant life of the AGR and some Generation IV designs. Part of the assessment performance predictions of Generation IV graphite bricks are based on simulations that require information of the volumetric lattice changes in single graphite crystals. TEM data at temperatures below 300˚C is currently unavailable limiting the understanding of graphitic material defects at the conditions that may be found in carbon-based materials in Generation IV reactors designs. The authors propose to implement Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) analysis to determine the effects of irradiation under low temperature conditions. The study of samples irradiated at low temperatures would also improve the fundamental understanding of the defect mobility and evolution in the graphite.

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Abstract Graphite is the moderator material of some Generation IV reactors concepts and British Advanced Gas-cooled Reactors (AGR). Failure of multiple graphite components is considered to be one of the limiting factors for plant life of the AGR and some Generation IV designs. Part of the assessment performance predictions of Generation IV graphite bricks are based on simulations that require information of the volumetric lattice changes in single graphite crystals. TEM data at temperatures below 300˚C is currently unavailable limiting the understanding of graphitic material defects at the conditions that may be found in carbon-based materials in Generation IV reactors designs. The authors propose to implement Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) analysis to determine the effects of irradiation under low temperature conditions. The study of samples irradiated at low temperatures would also improve the fundamental understanding of the defect mobility and evolution in the graphite.
Award Announced Date 2019-05-14T16:25:08.15
Awarded Institution None
Facility None
Facility Tech Lead Kory Linton
Irradiation Facility None
PI Wenjing Li
PI Email [email protected]
Project Type RTE
RTE Number 1773