NSUF 20-4208: Mechanical testing of Posttest LOCA Sample with Irradiated High burnup Fuel Rods
The objective of this project is to investigate the mechanical properties of the posttest high burnup LOCA sample recently tested with the SATS. After the Fukushima-Daiichi accident in 2011, Oak Ridge National Laboratory has developed the Severe Accident Test Station (SATS) that is capable of testing nuclear fuel rods subjected to a range of accident scenarios. The capabilities of SATS include exposing a fuel segment to conditions typical of a design basis accident and beyond design basis accident scenarios. Recently, we successfully performed a full in-cell LOCA test with a 12”long high burnup North-Anna M5 fuel segment through the complete LOCA sequence: heating the LOCA sample to 300C and pressurizing the internal pressure to 1200 psi, heating at 5ºC/s from 300 to 1200ºC, holding in steam for 90s at 1200ºC, cooling at 3ºC/s to 800ºC, followed by water quench and rapid cooling to 100ºC. Although the LOCA tests were conducted, no mechanical testing of the posttest LOCA fueled sample has been performed in the US, because of (1) lack of mechanical testing capability in hot cell in the past, (2) very limited posttest LOCA samples with irradiated fueled segments in the US, and (3) high cost of handling/testing of the irradiated LOCA fueled samples. In order to understand the mechanism of hydrogen and oxygen embrittlement of the posttest irradiated LOCA sample, we plan to use ring compression testing and microhardness tests in ORNL’s hot cell facility. We believe the results from the mechanical testing will provide helpful insight into the fundamental understanding of the structural integrity of irradiated fueled cladding under the LOCA condition, which is NRC’s central regulations used in plant licensing. This project is predicted to take no more than 5 months to complete. Sample preparation of ring compression testing is expected to take no more than 1 month. Fabrication microhardness samples is expected to take no more than 1 month. Data collection from ring compression and microhardness testing is expected to take no more than 3 months. Data analysis and reporting will take approximately 4 months from the date of initial data collection.
Additional Info
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Abstract | The objective of this project is to investigate the mechanical properties of the posttest high burnup LOCA sample recently tested with the SATS. After the Fukushima-Daiichi accident in 2011, Oak Ridge National Laboratory has developed the Severe Accident Test Station (SATS) that is capable of testing nuclear fuel rods subjected to a range of accident scenarios. The capabilities of SATS include exposing a fuel segment to conditions typical of a design basis accident and beyond design basis accident scenarios. Recently, we successfully performed a full in-cell LOCA test with a 12”long high burnup North-Anna M5 fuel segment through the complete LOCA sequence: heating the LOCA sample to 300C and pressurizing the internal pressure to 1200 psi, heating at 5ºC/s from 300 to 1200ºC, holding in steam for 90s at 1200ºC, cooling at 3ºC/s to 800ºC, followed by water quench and rapid cooling to 100ºC. Although the LOCA tests were conducted, no mechanical testing of the posttest LOCA fueled sample has been performed in the US, because of (1) lack of mechanical testing capability in hot cell in the past, (2) very limited posttest LOCA samples with irradiated fueled segments in the US, and (3) high cost of handling/testing of the irradiated LOCA fueled samples. In order to understand the mechanism of hydrogen and oxygen embrittlement of the posttest irradiated LOCA sample, we plan to use ring compression testing and microhardness tests in ORNL’s hot cell facility. We believe the results from the mechanical testing will provide helpful insight into the fundamental understanding of the structural integrity of irradiated fueled cladding under the LOCA condition, which is NRC’s central regulations used in plant licensing. This project is predicted to take no more than 5 months to complete. Sample preparation of ring compression testing is expected to take no more than 1 month. Fabrication microhardness samples is expected to take no more than 1 month. Data collection from ring compression and microhardness testing is expected to take no more than 3 months. Data analysis and reporting will take approximately 4 months from the date of initial data collection. |
| Award Announced Date | 2020-07-14T14:17:13.267 |
| Awarded Institution | None |
| Facility | None |
| Facility Tech Lead | Kory Linton |
| Irradiation Facility | None |
| PI | Nicholas Brown |
| PI Email | [email protected] |
| Project Type | RTE |
| RTE Number | 4208 |