NSUF 24-4876: Understanding the effects of proton irradiation and air oxidation in Cr alloyed UB2 at high temperatures by synchrotron X‐ray scattering

The severe nuclear accident in Fukushima-Daichi in 2011 motivated the US Congress to work with DOE-NE to launch the accident tolerant program in 2012. The goal is to develop nuclear fuels and claddings with enhanced accident tolerance capability. Hence, there has been a focus on designing near-term/evolutionary ATFs such as doped UO2 and chromium-coated zircalloy claddings and long-term fuel concepts such as UB2, UC, UN, and U3Si2 composite fuels. Given the progress in advanced computing and characterization tools such as the synchrotron X-ray radiation, it is now possible to systematically study the irradiation and corrosion behaviors of these fuel forms abandoned in the 60s and 70s. Hence, the overarching goal of this proposal is to investigate the effects of Cr alloying element on microstructural evolution of UB2 subjected to air oxidation, high temperature and proton ion irradiation. Chromium element is added to UB2 as alloying element due to its potential to form Cr2O3 which can serve as passivating layer to prevent further oxidation of the fuel. UB2 will be mechanically-alloyed with Cr using a ball milling machine to develop a solid-solution and then arc melted to form bulk UB2-Cr alloy. Preliminary characterization in our lab using lab based XRD is insufficient in resolving the very important peaks that may be present due to corrosion and irradiation effects. Hence, access to high energy total X-ray scattering source (XRD and PDF) such as the 28-ID-2 XPD beamline at NSLS II is critical for these experiments. This research, will be completed within the 9-month duration of the RTE award and will help us to understand the role of alloying element such as chromium in the improvement both the oxidation resistance and radiation response of UB2 and UB2-Cr. This knowledge will be used to improve the reactivity of the fuel at the beginning of life and extend the end-of-life, which enhances the overall reactor economics.

추가 정보

필드	값
Award Announced Date	2024-02-02T12:34:21.93
Awarded Institution	Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Facility Tech Lead	Simerjeet Gill
Irradiation Facility
PI	Riley Moeykens
PI Email	[email protected]
Project Type	RTE
RTE Number	None