NSUF 20-3096: Electron Probe Microanalysis (EPMA) of a metallic fuel transmutation alloy for fast reactor: A Microchemical Comparison between Fast Reactor and Simulated Fast Reactor Irradiation
The objective of this project is to characterize phases and compounds formed by minor actinides (Am, Np) alloyed with U, Pu, Zr in a transmutation metallic fuel alloy. This exploratory alloy (35U-29Pu-4Am-2Np-30Zr) has been proposed for burning minor actinides in a sodium fast reactor. Understanding the behavior in pile of such nuclear fuel alloy and in particular minor actinides phases is of paramount important to determine the safety envelope of this fuel. Electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA) will be used to quantitatively characterize the redistribution behavior of the major fuel elements U, Pu, and Zr, and the minor elements Np and Am in the irradiated fuel. In addition, the phase segregation of Am, Np, lanthanides (Ln) and fission products will be quantitatively characterized through quantitative phase analysis and quantitative characterization of the diffusion that occurs due to fuel cladding chemical interaction (FCCI). Of interest is the interaction of Am and Np with Ln and its impact on phase precipitation as these elements are principal contributors to FCCI. EPMA data on metallic fuel are scarce. With this project we aim to add knowledge and data that will be beneficial to the whole nuclear fuel research community. The state of the art shielded EPMA instrument at IMCL (INL) is fully equipped to measure very high dose irradiated fuel sample and it has already proven to be ideal for metallic fuel. This work is expected to be completed within the first 7 months after award, it will require 3 weeks of instrument time.
Additional Info
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Abstract | The objective of this project is to characterize phases and compounds formed by minor actinides (Am, Np) alloyed with U, Pu, Zr in a transmutation metallic fuel alloy. This exploratory alloy (35U-29Pu-4Am-2Np-30Zr) has been proposed for burning minor actinides in a sodium fast reactor. Understanding the behavior in pile of such nuclear fuel alloy and in particular minor actinides phases is of paramount important to determine the safety envelope of this fuel. Electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA) will be used to quantitatively characterize the redistribution behavior of the major fuel elements U, Pu, and Zr, and the minor elements Np and Am in the irradiated fuel. In addition, the phase segregation of Am, Np, lanthanides (Ln) and fission products will be quantitatively characterized through quantitative phase analysis and quantitative characterization of the diffusion that occurs due to fuel cladding chemical interaction (FCCI). Of interest is the interaction of Am and Np with Ln and its impact on phase precipitation as these elements are principal contributors to FCCI. EPMA data on metallic fuel are scarce. With this project we aim to add knowledge and data that will be beneficial to the whole nuclear fuel research community. The state of the art shielded EPMA instrument at IMCL (INL) is fully equipped to measure very high dose irradiated fuel sample and it has already proven to be ideal for metallic fuel. This work is expected to be completed within the first 7 months after award, it will require 3 weeks of instrument time. |
| Award Announced Date | 2020-07-14T14:02:49.41 |
| Awarded Institution | None |
| Facility | None |
| Facility Tech Lead | Alina Zackrone |
| Irradiation Facility | None |
| PI | Luca Capriotti |
| PI Email | [email protected] |
| Project Type | RTE |
| RTE Number | 3096 |