A small long-cycle PWR core design concept using fully ceramic micro-encapsulated (FCM) and UO2–ThO2 fuels for burning of TRU

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bae, Gonghoon; Hong, Ser Gi

2015-01-01

In this paper, a new small pressurized water reactor (PWR) core design concept using fully ceramic micro-encapsulated (FCM) particle fuels and UO 2 –ThO 2 fuels was studied for effective burning of transuranics from a view point of core neutronics. The core of this concept rate is 100 MWe. The core designs use the current PWR-proven technologies except for a mixed use of the FCM and UO 2 –ThO 2 fuel pins of low-enriched uranium. The significant burning of TRU is achieved with tri-isotropic particle fuels of FCM fuel pins, and the ThO 2 –UO 2 fuel pins are employed to achieve long-cycle length of ∼4 EFPYs (effective full-power year). Also, the effects of several candidate materials for reflector are analyzed in terms of core neutronics because the small core size leads to high sensitivity of reflector material on the cycle length. The final cores having 10 w/o SS303 and 90 w/o graphite reflector are shown to have high TRU burning rates of 33%–35% in FCM pins and significant net burning rates of 24%–25% in the total core with negative reactivity coefficients, low power peaking factors, and sufficient shutdown margins of control rods. (author)

Fabrication and testing of ceramic UO{sub 2} fuel - I-III. Part I; Izrada i ispitivanje keramickog goriva na bazi UO{sub 2}- I-III, I Deo

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Novakovic, M [Institute of Nuclear Sciences Boris Kidric, Laboratorija za termotehniku reaktora, Vinca, Beograd (Serbia and Montenegro)

1961-12-15

The task described consists of the following: fabrication of UO{sub 2} with different granulation from uranyl nitrate by ammonia diuranate; determination of size and shape distributions of metal and ceramic powders; fabrication of sintered pressed samples UO{sub 2}; investigating the properties of sintered uranium dioxide dependent on the fabrication process; producing a vibrator for compacting UO{sub 2} powder. This volume includes reports on the first two tasks.

Thermal expansion of UO2-Gd2O3 fuel pellets

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Une, Katsumi

1986-01-01

In recent years, more consideration has been given to the application of UO 2 -Gd 2 O 3 burnable poison fuel to LWRs in order to improve the core physics and to extend the burnup. It has been known that UO 2 forms a single phase cubic fluorite type solid solution with Gd 2 O 3 up to 20 - 30 wt.% above 1300 K. The addition of Gd 2 O 3 to UO 2 lattices changes the properties of the fuel pellets. The limited data on the thermal expansion of UO 2 -Gd 2 O 3 fuel exist, but those are inconsistent. UO 2 -Gd 2 O 3 fuel pellets were fabricated, and the linear thermal expansion of UO 2 and UO 2 -(5, 8 and 10 wt.%)Gd 2 O 3 fuel pellets was measured with a differential dilatometer over the temperature range of 298 - 1973 K. A sapphire rod of 6 mm diameter and 15.5 mm length was used as the reference material. After the preheating cycle, the measurement was performed in argon atmosphere. The results for UO 2 pellets showed excellent agreement with the data in literatures. The linear thermal expansion of UO 2 -Gd 2 O 3 fuel pellets showed the increase with increasing the Gd 2 O 3 content. Consideration must be given to this excessive expansion in the fuel design of UO 2 -Gd 2 O 3 pellets. The equations for the linear thermal expansion and density of UO 2 -Gd 2 O 3 fuel pellets were derived by the method of least squares. (Kako, I.)

Microstructure and fracture analysis of fully ceramic microencapsulated fuel

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lee, H. G.; Kim, D. J.; Park, J. Y.; Kim, W. J.; Lee, S. J.

2015-01-01

Nuclear fuel enhancing the accident tolerance is satisfied two parts. First, the performance has to be retained compared to the existing UO 2 nuclear fuel and zircaloy cladding system under the normal operation condition. Second, under the severe accident condition, the high temperature structural integrity has to be kept and the generation rate of hydrogen has to be reduced largely. FCM nuclear fuel is composed of tristructural isotropic(TRISO) fuel particle and SiC ceramic matrix. SiC ceramic matrix play an essential part in protecting fission product. In the FCM fuel concept, fission product is doubly protected by TRISO coating layer and SiC ceramic matrix compared to the current commercial UO 2 fuel system. SiC ceramic has excellent properties for fuel application. SiC ceramic has low neutron absorption cross-section, excellent irradiation resistivity and high thermal conductivity. Additionally, the relative thermal conductivity of the SiC ceramic as compared to UO 2 is quite good, reducing operational release of fission products form the fuel. TRISO coating layer which is deposited on UO 2 kernel is consists of PyC/SiC/PyC trialyer and buffer PyC layer. SiC matrix composite with TRISO particle was fabricated by hot pressing. 3 to 20 wt.% of sintering additives were added to investigate reaction between sintering additives and outer PyC layer of TRISO coating layer. The relative densities of all specimens show above 92%. The reaction between sintering additives and PyC is observed in most TRISO particles, the thickness of reactants shows about ten micrometers. The thermal shock resistance of SiC matrix composite was investigated

Manufacture of a UO2-Based Nuclear Fuel with Improved Thermal Conductivity with the Addition of BeO

Science.gov (United States)

Garcia, Chad B.; Brito, Ryan A.; Ortega, Luis H.; Malone, James P.; McDeavitt, Sean M.

2017-12-01

The low thermal conductivity of oxide nuclear fuels is a performance-limiting parameter. Enhancing this property may provide a contribution toward establishing accident-tolerant fuel forms. In this study, the thermal conductivity of UO2 was increased through the fabrication of ceramic-ceramic composite forms with UO2 containing a continuous BeO matrix. Fuel with a higher thermal conductivity will have reduced thermal gradients and lower centerline temperatures in the fuel pin. Lower operational temperatures will reduce fission gas release and reduce fuel restructuring. Additions of BeO were made to UO2 fuel pellets in 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 vol pct concentrations with the goals of establishing reliable lab-scale processing procedures, minimizing porosity, and maximizing thermal conductivity. The microstructure was characterized with electron probe microanalysis, and the thermal properties were assessed by light flash analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Reliable, high-density samples were prepared using compaction pressure between 200 and 225 MPa and sintering times between 4 and 6 hours. It was found that the thermal conductivity of UO2 improved approximately 10 pct for each 1 vol pct BeO added over the measured temperature range 298.15 K to 523.15 K (25 °C to 250 °C) with the maximum observed improvement being ˜ 100 pct, or doubled, at 10 vol pct BeO.

Thermal expansion of UO2 and simulated DUPIC fuel

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ho Kang, Kweon; Jin Ryu, Ho; Chan Song, Kee; Seung Yang, Myung

2002-01-01

The lattice parameters of simulated DUPIC fuel and UO 2 were measured from room temperature to 1273 K using neutron diffraction to investigate the thermal expansion and density variation with temperature. The lattice parameter of simulated DUPIC fuel is lower than that of UO 2 , and the linear thermal expansion of simulated DUPIC fuel is higher than that of UO 2 . For the temperature range from 298 to 1273 K, the average linear thermal expansion coefficients for UO 2 and simulated DUPIC fuel are 10.471x10 -6 and 10.751x10 -6 K -1 , respectively

Oxidative dissolution of ADOPT compared to standard UO2 fuel

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nilsson, Kristina; Roth, Olivia; Jonsson, Mats

2017-01-01

In this work we have studied oxidative dissolution of pure UO 2 and ADOPT (UO 2 doped with Al and Cr) pellets using H 2 O 2 and gammaradiolysis to induce the process. There is a small but significant difference in the oxidative dissolution rate of UO 2 and ADOPT pellets, respectively. However, the difference in oxidative dissolution yield is insignificant. Leaching experiments were also performed on in-reactor irradiated ADOPT and UO 2 pellets under oxidizing conditions. The results indicate that the U(VI) release is slightly slower from the ADOPT pellet compared to the UO 2. This could be attributed to differences in exposed surface area. However, fission products with low UO 2 solubility display a higher relative release from ADOPT fuel compared to standard UO 2 -fuel. This is attributed to a lower matrix solubility imposed by the dopants in ADOPT fuel. The release of Cs is higher from UO 2 which is attributed to the larger grain size of ADOPT. - Highlights: •Oxidative dissolution of ADOPT fuel is compared to standard UO 2 fuel. •Only marginal differences are observed. •The main difference observed is in the relative release rate of fission products. •Differences are claimed to be attributed to a lower matrix solubility imposed by the dopants in ADOPT fuel.

Thermal Conductivity Measurement and Analysis of Fully Ceramic Microencapsulated fuel

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lee, H. G.; Kim, D. J.; Park, J. Y.; Kim, W. J.; Lee, S. J.

2015-01-01

FCM nuclear fuel is composed of tristructural isotropic(TRISO) fuel particle and SiC ceramic matrix. SiC ceramic matrix play an essential part in protecting fission product. In the FCM fuel concept, fission product is doubly protected by TRISO coating layer and SiC ceramic matrix in comparison with the current commercial UO2 fuel system of LWR. In addition to a safety enhancement of FCM fuel, thermal conductivity of SiC ceramic matrix is better than that of UO2 fuel. Because the centerline temperature of FCM fuel is lower than that of the current UO2 fuel due to the difference of thermal conductivity of fuel, an operational release of fission products from the fuel can be reduced. SiC ceramic has attracted for nuclear fuel application due to its high thermal conductivity properties with good radiation tolerant properties, a low neutron absorption cross-section and a high corrosion resistance. Thermal conductivity of ceramic matrix composite depends on the thermal conductivity of each component and the morphology of reinforcement materials such as fibers and particles. There are many results about thermal conductivity of fiber-reinforced composite like as SiCf/SiC composite. Thermal conductivity of SiC ceramics and FCM pellets with the volume fraction of TRISO particles were measured and analyzed by analytical models. Polycrystalline SiC ceramics and FCM pellets with TRISO particles were fabricated by hot press sintering with sintering additives. Thermal conductivity of the FCM pellets with TRISO particles of 0 vol.%, 10 vol.%, 20 vol.%, 30 vol.% and 40 vol.% show 68.4, 52.3, 46.8, 43.0 and 34.5 W/mK, respectively. As the volume fraction of TRISO particles increased, the measured thermal conductivity values closely followed the prediction of Maxwell's equation

High density UO2 powder preparation for HWR fuel

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hwang, S. T.; Chang, I. S.; Choi, Y. D.; Cho, B. R.; Kwon, S. W.; Kim, B. H.; Moon, B. H.; Kim, S. D.; Phyu, K. M.; Lee, K. A.

1992-01-01

The objective of this project is to study on the preparation of method high density UO 2 powder for HWR Fuel. Accordingly, it is necessary to character ize the AUC processed UO 2 powder and to search method for the preparation of high density UO 2 powder for HWR Fuel. Therefore, it is expected that the results of this study can effect the producing of AUC processed UO 2 powder having sinterability. (Author)

Analysis of UO2 fuel structure for low and high burn-up and its impact on fission gas release

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Szuta, M.; El-Koliel, M.S.

1999-01-01

During irradiation, uranium dioxide (UO 2 ) fuel undergo important restructuring mainly represented by densification and swelling, void migration, equiaxed grain growth, grain subdivision, and the formation of columnar grains. The purpose of this study is to obtain a comprehensive picture of the phenomenon of equiaxed grain growth in UO 2 ceramic material. The change of the grain size in high-density uranium dioxide as a function of temperature, initial grain size, time, and burnup is calculated. Algorithm of fission gas release from UO 2 fuel during high temperature irradiation at high burnup taking into account grain growth effect is presented. Theoretical results are compared with experimental data. (author)

The effect of fuel chemistry on UO{sub 2} dissolution

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Casella, Amanda, E-mail: amanda.casella@pnnl.gov [Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, PO Box 999, MSIN P7-25, Richland, WA 99352 (United States); Hanson, Brady, E-mail: brady.hanson@pnnl.gov [Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, PO Box 999, MSIN P7-27, Richland, WA 99352 (United States); Miller, William [University of Missouri Research Reactor, 1513 Research Park Drive, Columbia, MO 65211 (United States)

2016-08-01

The dissolution rate of both unirradiated UO{sub 2} and used nuclear fuel has been studied by numerous countries as part of the performance assessment of proposed geologic repositories. In the scenario of waste package failure and groundwater contact with the fuel, the effects of variables such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, and water and fuel chemistry on the dissolution rates of the fuel are necessary to provide a quantitative estimate of the potential release over geologic time frames. The primary objective of this research was to determine the influence these parameters, with primary focus on the fuel chemistry, have on the dissolution rate of unirradiated UO{sub 2} under oxidizing repository conditions and compare them to the rates predicted by current dissolution models. Both unirradiated UO{sub 2} and UO{sub 2} doped with varying concentrations of Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3}, to simulate used fuel composition after long time periods when radiolysis has minor contributions to dissolution, were examined. In general, a rise in temperature increased the dissolution rate of UO{sub 2} and had a larger effect on pure UO{sub 2} than on those doped with Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3}. Oxygen dependence was observed in the UO{sub 2} samples with no dopant and increased as the temperature rose; in the doped fuels less dependence was observed. The addition of gadolinia into the UO{sub 2} matrix resulted in a significant decrease in the dissolution rate. The matrix stabilization effect resulting from the dopant proved even more beneficial in lowering the dissolution rate at higher temperatures and dissolved O{sub 2} concentrations in the leachate where the rates would typically be elevated. - Highlights: • UO{sub 2} dissolution rates were measured for a matrix of repository relevant conditions. • Dopants in the UO{sub 2} matrix lowered the dissolution rate. • Reduction in rates by dopants were increased at elevated temperature and O{sub 2} levels. • UO{sub 2} may be overly

Oxidative dissolution of ADOPT compared to standard UO{sub 2} fuel

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Nilsson, Kristina [School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Applied Physical Chemistry, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE-100 44 Stockholm (Sweden); Roth, Olivia [Studsvik Nuclear AB, SE-611 82 Nyköping (Sweden); Jonsson, Mats, E-mail: matsj@kth.se [School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Applied Physical Chemistry, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE-100 44 Stockholm (Sweden)

2017-05-15

In this work we have studied oxidative dissolution of pure UO{sub 2} and ADOPT (UO{sub 2} doped with Al and Cr) pellets using H{sub 2}O{sub 2} and gammaradiolysis to induce the process. There is a small but significant difference in the oxidative dissolution rate of UO{sub 2} and ADOPT pellets, respectively. However, the difference in oxidative dissolution yield is insignificant. Leaching experiments were also performed on in-reactor irradiated ADOPT and UO{sub 2} pellets under oxidizing conditions. The results indicate that the U(VI) release is slightly slower from the ADOPT pellet compared to the UO{sub 2.} This could be attributed to differences in exposed surface area. However, fission products with low UO{sub 2} solubility display a higher relative release from ADOPT fuel compared to standard UO{sub 2}-fuel. This is attributed to a lower matrix solubility imposed by the dopants in ADOPT fuel. The release of Cs is higher from UO{sub 2} which is attributed to the larger grain size of ADOPT. - Highlights: •Oxidative dissolution of ADOPT fuel is compared to standard UO{sub 2} fuel. •Only marginal differences are observed. •The main difference observed is in the relative release rate of fission products. •Differences are claimed to be attributed to a lower matrix solubility imposed by the dopants in ADOPT fuel.

Ultrasonic analysis of UO{sub 2} pellets

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bittencourt, Marcelo de S.Q.; Baroni, Douglas B.; Martorelli, Daniel S., E-mail: bittenc@ien.gov.br, E-mail: douglasbaroni@ien.gov.br, E-mail: daniel@ien.gov.br [Instituto de Engenharia Nuclear (IEN/CNEN-RJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ (Brazil). Lab. de Ultrassom; Dias, Fabio C.; Silva, Jose W.S. da, E-mail: fabio@ird.gov.br, E-mail: wanderley@ird.gov.br [Instituto de Radioprotecao e Dosimetria (IRD/CNEN-RJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ (Brazil). Lab. de Salvaguardas

2013-07-01

Ceramic materials have been widely used for various purposes in many different industries due to certain characteristics, such as high melting point and high resistance to corrosion. In the nuclear area, ceramics are of great importance due to the process of fabrication of fuel pellets for nuclear reactors. Generally, high accuracy destructive techniques are used to characterize nuclear materials for fuel fabrication. These techniques usually require costly equipment and facilities, as well as experienced personnel. This paper aims at presenting an analysis methodology for UO2 pellets using a non-destructive ultrasonic technique for porosity measurement. This technique differs from traditional ultrasonic techniques in the sense it uses ultrasonic pulses in frequency domain instead of time domain. Therefore, specific characteristics of the analyzed material are associated with the obtained frequency spectrum. In the present work, four fuel grade UO2 pellets were analyzed and the corresponding results evaluated. (author)

Irradiation of UO2+x fuels in the TANOX device

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Dehaudt, P.; Caillot, L.; Delette, G.; Eminet, G.; Mocellin, A.

1998-01-01

The TANOX analytical irradiation device is presented and the first results concerning stoichiometric and hyper stoichiometric uranium dioxide fuels with two different grain sizes are given. The TANOX device is designed to obtain rapidly significant burnups in fuels at relatively low temperatures. It is placed at the periphery of the SILOE reactor and translated to adjust the irradiation power. The continuous measure of the centre-line temperature allows to control the experiment and to evaluate the thermal behaviour of the rods. A TANOX fuel rod has a length of 100 mm with 20 fuel pellets in a stainless steel cladding and is inserted in a thick aluminium alloy overcladding which is cooled by the primary water circuit reactor. These conditions of small size pellets and improved thermal exchanges have been designed to dissipate the heat power due to fission densities three to five times higher than in a PWR. The first analytical irradiation was devoted to the study of UO 2.00 , UO 2.01 and UO 2.02 fuels with standard and large grain sizes obtained by annealing. A burnup of about 9000 MWd.t -1 U was reached in these fuels. The thermal analysis shows a degraded conductivity for the UO 2.02 fuel rod due to the hyper stoichiometry. The released fractions of 85 Kr during irradiation are negligible as expected (lower than 0,1%). Some of the pellets were heat treated at 1700 deg. C for 5 hours. The gas release was analysed after 30 minutes and at the end of the treatment. The main results are as follows: the fission gas release (FGR) of the standard UO 2 varies from one sample to another; the FGR of the hyper stoichiometric fuels is of the same order of magnitude than that of the stoichiometric UO 2 fuel of normal grain sizes; the grain size increase has no effect on FGR for UO 2.00 but considerably decreases the FGR for UO 2.01 and UO 2.02 fuels. These heat treated samples are also observed to characterize the inter- and intragranular fission gas bubbles. (author)

Defect trap model of gas behaviour in UO2 fuel during irradiation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Szuta, A.

2003-01-01

Fission gas behaviour is one of the central concern in the fuel design, performance and hypothetical accident analysis. The report 'Defect trap model of gas behaviour in UO 2 fuel during irradiation' is the worldwide literature review of problems studied, experimental results and solutions proposed in related topics. Some of them were described in details in the report chapters. They are: anomalies in the experimental results; fission gas retention in the UO 2 fuel; microstructure of the UO 2 fuel after irradiation; fission gas release models; defect trap model of fission gas behaviour; fission gas release from UO 2 single crystal during low temperature irradiation in terms of a defect trap model; analysis of dynamic release of fission gases from single crystal UO 2 during low temperature irradiation in terms of defect trap model; behaviour of fission gas products in single crystal UO 2 during intermediate temperature irradiation in terms of a defect trap model; modification of re-crystallization temperature of UO 2 in function of burnup and its impact on fission gas release; apparent diffusion coefficient; formation of nanostructures in UO 2 fuel at high burnup; applications of the defect trap model to the gas leaking fuel elements number assessment in the nuclear power station (VVER-PWR)

The compaction and sintering of UO_2-Zr cermet pellets

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tri Yulianto; Meniek Rachmawati; Etty Mutiara

2013-01-01

An innovative fuel pellet of UO_2-Zr cermet has been developed to improve thermal conductivity of UO_2 pellet by adding small amount Zr metal in to UO_2 matrix below 10 % weight. Zirconium powder will serve for the creation of bridges or web structure during compaction and will effectively reduce contact between of UO_2 particles. Based on the theory of phase equilibrium of metals-metal oxides-ceramic, this fabrication technique may produce UO_2 pellets containing continuous metal channel on the grain boundary of UO_2 through sintering in a reduction atmosphere. The fabrication was done by varying process parameters of mixing and compaction. Characterisation of UO_2-Zr cermet pellet involved visual test, dimensional and density measurement, and ceramography test. This advanced cermet fabrication technology may address common issue with cermet fuels such as microstructure with continuous metal channel structure in the UO_2 matrix, which is more effectively than the commonly accepted microstructure involving fraction of UO_2 pellet by standard fabrication route. (author)

Production and release of the fission gas in (Th U)O2 fuel rods

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Dias, Marcio S.

1982-06-01

The volume, composition and release of the fission gas products were caculated for (Th, U)O 2 fuel rods. The theorectical calculations were compared with experimental results available on the literature. In ThO 2 + 5% UO 2 fuel rods it will be produced approximated 5% more fission gas as compared to UO 2 fuel rods. The fission gas composition or Xe to Kr ratio has showed a decreasing fuel brunup dependence, in opposition to that of UO 2 . Under the same fuel rod operational conditions, the (Th, U)O 2 fission gas release will be smaller as compared to UO 2 . This behaviour of (Th, U)O 2 fuel comes from smallest gas atom difusivity and higher activation energies of the processes that increase the fission gas release. (Author) [pt

Effects of UO2 fuel microstructure and density on fuel in-reactor performance

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hansson, L.

1988-02-01

The volume changes of UO 2 fuel pellets, produced by neutron irradiation, can be characterized by two processes: fission spike induced densification through pore skrinkage and later fission produced induced swelling of UO 2 matrix. In-pile densification is controlled by the initial density and microstructure of the fuel, particularly by the pore size distribution. The extent of swelling depends mainly on the amount of fission products produced, but the fission gas release as well as the swelling may be reduced by increasing the grain size of UO 2 . Fabrication of fuel pellets having certain in-reactor properties requires detailed knowledge of the effects of individual fabrication parameters. The irradiation experience of fuels fabricated by using different conversion and pelletizing methods is extensive. Based on this experience, some general characteristics of stable/well-performing fuel microstructures have been summarized

Spent fuel UO2 matrix corrosion behaviour studies through alpha-doped UO2 pellets leaching

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Muzeau, B.; Jegou, C.; Broudic, V.

2005-01-01

Full text of publication follows: The option of direct disposal of spent nuclear fuel in a deep geological formation raises the need to investigate the long-term behaviour of the UO 2 matrix in aqueous media subjected to α-β-γ radiations. The β-γ emitters account for the most of the activity of spent fuel at the moment it is removed from the reactor, but diminish within a millennial time frame by over three orders of magnitude to less than the long-term activity. The latter persist over much longer time periods and must therefore be taken into account over geological disposal scale. In the present investigation the UO 2 matrix corrosion under alpha radiation is studied as a function of different parameters such as: the alpha activity, the carbonates and hydrogen concentrations,.. In order to study the effect of alpha radiolysis of water on the UO 2 matrix, 238/239 Pu doped UO 2 pellets (0.22 %wt. Pu total) were fabricated with different 238 Pu/ 239 Pu ratio to reproduce the alpha activity of a 47 GWd.t HMi -1 UOX spent fuel at different milestones in time (15, 50, 1500, 10000 and 40000 years). Undoped UO 2 pellets were also available as reference sample. Leaching experiments were conducted in deionized or carbonated water (NaHCO 3 1 mM), under Argon (O 2 2 30% gas mixture. Previous experiments conducted in deionized water under argon atmosphere, have shown a good correlation between alpha activity and uranium release for the 15-, 1500- and 40000-years alpha doped UO 2 batches. Besides, uranium release in the leachate is controlled either by the kinetics, or by the thermodynamics. Provided the solubility limit of uranium is not achieved, uranium concentration increases and is only limited by the kinetics, unless precipitation occurs and the uranium concentration remains constant over time. These controls are highly dependant on the solution chemistry (HCO 3 - , pH, Eh,..), the atmosphere (Ar, Ar/H 2 ,..), and the radiolysis strength. The experimental matrix

Determination of the UO2-ZrO2-BaO equilibrium diagram

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Paschoal, J.O.A.; Kleykanp, H.; Thuemmler, F.

1984-01-01

It is determined the equilibrium diagram of UO 2 - ZrO 2 - BaO to interpret and predict changes in the chemical properties of ceramic (oxide) nuclear fuels during irradiation. The isothermal section of the system at 1700 0 C was determined experimentally, utilizing the techniques of ceramography, X-ray diffraction analysis, microprobe analysis and differential thermal analysis. The solid solubility limits at 1700 0 C between UO 2 and ZrO 2 , UO 2 and BaO, ZrO 2 and BaO, ZrO 2 and BaO and BaUO 3 and BaZrO 3 is presented. The influence of oxygen potential in relation to the different phases is discussed and the phase diagram of the system presented. (M.C.K.) [pt

Compatibility study between U-UO{sub 2} cermet fuel and T91 cladding

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mishra, Sudhir, E-mail: sudhir@barc.gov.in [Radiometallurgy Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085 (India); Kaity, Santu; Khan, K.B. [Radiometallurgy Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085 (India); Sengupta, Pranesh; Dey, G.K. [Materials Science Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085 (India)

2016-12-01

Cermet is a new fuel concept for the fast reactor system and is ideally designed to combine beneficial properties of both ceramic and metal. In order to understand fuel clad chemical compatibility, diffusion couples were prepared with U-UO{sub 2} cermet fuel and T91 cladding material. These diffusion couples were annealed at 923–1073 K for 1000 h and 1223 K for 50 h, subsequently their microstructures were examined using scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray energy dispersive spectroscope (EDS) and electron probe microanalyser (EPMA). It was observed that the interaction between the fuel and constituents of T91 clad was limited to a very small region up to the temperature 993 K and discrete U{sub 6}(Fe,Cr) and U(Fe,Cr){sub 2} intermetallic phases developed. Eutectic microstructure was observed in the reaction zone at 1223 K. The activation energy for reaction at the fuel clad interface was determined.

State of the art of UO2 fuel fabrication processes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Henke, M.; Klemm, U.

1980-01-01

Starting from the need of UO 2 for thermal power reactors in the period from 1980 to 1990 and the role of UF 6 conversion into UO 2 within the fuel cycle, the state-of-the-art of the three established industrial processes - ADU process, AUC process, IDR process - is assessed. The number of process stages and requirements on process management are discussed. In particular, the properties of the fabricated UO 2 powders, their influence on the following pellet production and on operational behaviour of the fuel elements under reactor conditions are described. Hence, an evaluation of the three essential conversion processes is derived. (author)

Preparation of UO2 fragments for fuel-debris experiments

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tinkle, M.C.; Kircher, J.A.; Zinn, R.M.; Eash, D.T.

1982-01-01

A unique process was developed for preparing multi-kilogram quantities of > 90% dense fragments of enriched and depleted UO 2 sized 20 mm to 0.038 mm for fuel debris experiments. Precipitates of UO 4 . xH 2 O were treated to obtain UO 2 powders that would yield large cohesive green pieces when isostatically pressed to 206 MPa. The pressed pieces were crushed into fragments that were about 30% oversized, and heated to 1800 0 C for 24 h in H 2 . Oversizing compensates for shrinkage during densification. Effort was dramatically reduced by working on a large scale and by presizing the green UO 2 instead of directly crushing densified pellets

Sphere-pac versus pellet UO2 fuel in de Dodewaard BWR

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Linde, A. van der.

1989-04-01

Comparative testing of UO 2 sphere-pac and pellet fuel rods under LWR conditions has been jointly performed by the Netherlands Utilities Research Centre (KEMA) in Arnhem, the Netherlands Energy Research Foundation (ECN) at Petten and the Netherlands Joint Nuclear Power Utility (GKN) at Dodewaard. This final report summarizes the highlights of this 1968-1988 program with strong emphasis on the fuel rods irradiated in the Dodewaard BWR. The conclusion reached is that under normal LWR conditions sphere-pac UO 2 in LWR fuel rods offers better resistance against stress corrosion cracking of the cladding, but that under fast, single step, power ramping conditions pellet UO 2 in LWR fuel rods has a better resistance against hoop stress failure of the cladding. 128 figs., 36 refs., 19 tabs

Innovative microstructures in ThO2-UO2 system

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kutty, T.R.G.; Sengupta, A.K.; Majumdar, S.; Sah, D.N.; Kamath, H.S.

2005-01-01

The basic properties that really matter to the nuclear scientists are those that have greatest influence on microstructure: crystal structure, defects concentration and phase stability. The role of microstructure and crystal defects in determining the engineering properties are always acknowledged. Microstructure of nuclear fuels controls the in-pile fuel behavior like fission gas release, plasticity, in-pile creep and swelling. Conventional nuclear ceramic fabrication process consists of a number of stages, including calcination, milling, incorporating additives, pressing, drying and densification. Since each of these steps affects the microstructure of fuel pellets they must all be understood and a more holistic approach is required when processing nuclear ceramics compared to metals and polymers. It is possible to obtain a wide range of microstructures for ThO 2 -UO 2 system if a proper fabrication route is chosen. It is possible to tailor microstructure as per our requirement so that an improved behaviour during irradiation is expected. The improvement in plasticity and fission gas release can be attained by modifying the microstructure during fabrication. This paper deals with fabrication of ThO 2 -UO 2 pellets of varying U content and its characterization with the help of optical microscopy, XRD, SEM and EPMA. The microstructures are characterized in terms grain size, pore size and its distribution and homogeneity of uranium. (author)

Optimization of UO{sub 2} Granule Characteristics for UO{sub 2}-Mo Pellet Fabrication

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kim, Dongjoo; Rhee, Young Woo; Kim, Jong Hun; Kim, Keon Sik; Oh, Jang Soo; Yang, Jae Ho; Koo, Yanghyun [Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Daejeon (Korea, Republic of)

2014-05-15

The in-reactor performance, integrity, safety and accident tolerance of the nuclear fuel can be significantly affected by the thermal conductivity of the UO{sub 2} fuel pellet. The improvement in the thermal conductivity of the UO{sub 2} fuel pellet can enhance the fuel performance in various ways. Typically, the FGR (Fission Gas Release) can be reduced by the application of a large-grain fuel pellet because the moving path of the fission gas to the grain boundary is much longer. In addition, the mobility of the fission gases is reduced by the lower temperature gradient in the UO{sub 2} fuel pellet. That is to say, the capacity of the fission gas retention of the fuel pellet can increase. In addition, the lower centerline temperature of the fuel pellet affects the accident tolerance for nuclear fuel as well as the enhancement of fuel safety and fuel pellet integrity under normal operation conditions. In addition, the nuclear reactor power can be uprated owing to the higher safety margin. Thus, many researches on enhancing the thermal conductivity of a nuclear fuel pellet for LWRs have been performed in various ways. From the viewpoint of the development of fuel pellet fabrication technology, an enhancement of the thermal conductivity of a pellet can be obtained by the addition of a higher thermal conductive material in the UO{sub 2} pellet. It is known that a UO{sub 2}-metal composite pellet is one of the most effective concepts. However, to maximize the effect of the metallic phase for thermal conductivity enhancement, a continuous channel of the metallic phase in the UO{sub 2} matrix must be formed. Additionally, if the fabrication process of a UO{sub 2}-metal composite pellet is compatible with a conventional sintering process, the developed technology will be favorable. To enhance the thermal conductivity of a UO{sub 2} pellet, there are the various methods for an appropriate arrangement of the high thermal conductive material in a UO{sub 2} matrix. In this

Dose rate measurements in the beta-photon radiation field from UO2 pellets and glazed ceramics containing uranium

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Piesch, E.; Burgkhardt, B.

1986-01-01

In the nuclear fuel cycle, the handling of UO 2 pellets results in a significant exposure, mainly due to beta rays. Depth dose distributions have been investigated at source-to-detector distances of 5 to 80 cm using LiF detectors of different thicknesses. Detailed data for the dose equivalent quantities H(0.07), H(3) and H(10) are presented. These data are compared with those found for the use of glazed tiles and ceramics containing natural uranium. (author)

Methods of modification and investigations of properties of fuel UO2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kurina, I.; Popov, V.; Rogov, S.; Dvoryashin, A.; Serebrennikova, O.

2009-01-01

In the SSC RF-IPPE the researches are carried out directed towards the uranium dioxide fuel pellets modification with the purpose of improvement of their performance parameters (increase of thermal conductivity, growth of grain for decrease gas release, decrease of interaction with coolant). The following technological methods of manufacturing of modified pellets UO 2 were used: 1) The water method including precipitation of Ammonium Polyuranate (APU) with manufacturing of simultaneously coarse and super dispersed particles, and also coprecipitation APU with additives (Cr, Ti, etc.), with the after calcination of powders, reduction to UO 2 pressing and sintering of pellets; 2) A method including addition of chemical reagent containing ammonia to the powder UO 2 manufactured under the dry or water technology; mechanical mixture; pressing and sintering of pellets. Application of the specified up methods makes manufacturing the UO 2 fuel pellets having the properties differing from pellets manufactured by industrial technology. Conclusions: 1) Properties of powders and the pellets manufactured by different technologies considerably differ; 2) Precipitate manufactured by water industrial technology, consists of phase NH 3 ·3UO 3 ·5H 2 O whereas the precipitate manufactured by nanotechnology contains in addition phase NH 3 ·2UO 3 ·3H 2 O; 3) Powders of U 3 O 8 manufactured by water nanotechnology have particles size 300-500 nm and ultra dispersive particles size ∼70-75 nm; 4) Powder UO 2 obtained by water nanotechnology differs by greater activity because all phase changes under oxidation result at lower temperatures; 5) Basic differences of properties of modified UO 2 pellets was established: decreasing of defects inside and on grains boundaries, minor porosity (pore size 0,05-0,5 μm), presence of pore of spherical form, presence of additional chemical bond U-U (presence of metal clusters), polyvalence of U; 6) Methods including addition of Cr and Ti under

Measurements of thermal disadvantage factors in light-water moderated PuO2-UO2 and UO2 lattices

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ohno, Akio; Kobayashi, Iwao; Tsuruta, Harumichi; Hashimoto, Masao; Suzaki, Takenori

1980-01-01

The disadvantage factor for thermal neutrons in light-water moderated PuO 2 -UO 2 and UO 2 square lattices were obtained from measurements of thermal neutron density distributions in a unit lattice cell, measured with Dy-Al wire detectors. The lattices consisted of 3.4 w/o PuO 2 .UO 2 and 2.6 w/o UO 2 fuel rods, and the water-to-fuel volume ratio within the unit cell was parametrically changed. The PuO 2 .UO 2 and UO 2 fuel rods were designed to realize equal fissile atomic number density. The disadvantage factors thus measured were 1.36 +- 0.07, 1.37 +- 0.08, 1.40 +- 0.06 and 1.38 +- 0.06 in the PuO 2 .UO 2 fuel lattices, and 1.30 +- 0.06, 1.31 +- 0.08, 1.30 +- 0.08 and 1.33 +- 0.06 in the UO 2 , for water-to-fuel volume ratios, of 1.76, 2.00, 2.38 and 2.95, respectively. This difference in disadvantage factor between PuO 2 .UO 2 and UO 2 fuel lattices corresponds to about 8%. Calculated results obtained by multigroup transport code LASER agreed well with the measured ones. (author)

Fuel elements based on mixed oxides UO{sub 2} - PuO{sub 2}; Gorivni elementi na bazi mesanih oksida UO{sub 2} - PuO{sub 2}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Katanic-Popovic, J; Stevanovic, M [Boris Kidric Institute of nuclear sciences, Vinca, Belgrade (Yugoslavia)

1978-07-01

Questions concerning utilization of plutonium as a fissionable material in fuel elements for nuclear power plants have been discussed. Characteristics and application of fuel elements with mixed UO{sub 2} - PuO{sub 2} fuel for thermal and fast breeder reactors have also been dealt with. In the presentation of technological processes for production of fuel elements based on mixed oxides specific characteristics are given with respect to the work with plutonium and relatively high production costs as compared to classical fuel elements based on sintered UO{sub 2}. (author)

Ceramic grade (U,Pu)O2 powder fabrication

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cristallini, O.A.; Villegas de Maroto, Marina; De Pino, J.I.; Osuna, H.A.

1980-01-01

Ceramic grade UO 2 powder was obtained by the homogeneous precipitation method. This procedure was afterwards applied to the fabrication of ceramic grade (U,Pu)O 2 powders, and mixed oxide powders with Pu content ranging from 0.7 to 16% were obtained. The obtainment of mixed ceramic oxides as well as the recuperation of fabrication scraps were developed in three steps: 1)study of the process of homogeneous precipitation of ammonium diuranate (ADU); 2) co-precipitation of ADU/PuO 2 .H 2 O for Pu concentrations of 0.6 and 6.8; 3) the thermal conditioning to mixed oxide (U,Pu)O 2 powders. The experimental procedure involves the following steps: preparation of the PuO 2 (NO 3 ) 4 solution; co-precipitation of the PuO 2 (NO 3 ) 2 solution with an UO 2 (NO 3 ) 2 solution; filtration and drying of the precipitate, thermal treatment and finally, mixing, pressing and sintering of the (U,Pu)O 2 and Nukem UO 2 powder with a 0. of zinc stearate. Different controls were made by means of physical, chemical and ceramographic tests. This method can be used for the fabrication of fast reactor fuels or, previous mechanical dispersion in UO 2 powder, for the fabrication of thermal reactors fuels. (M.E.L.) [es

Synthesis and sintering of UN-UO{sub 2} fuel composites

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Jaques, Brian J., E-mail: BrianJaques@BoiseState.edu [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Boise State University, 1910 University Dr., Boise, ID 83725 (United States); Center for Advanced Energy Studies, 995 University Blvd., Idaho Falls, ID 83401 (United States); Watkins, Jennifer; Croteau, Joseph R.; Alanko, Gordon A. [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Boise State University, 1910 University Dr., Boise, ID 83725 (United States); Center for Advanced Energy Studies, 995 University Blvd., Idaho Falls, ID 83401 (United States); Tyburska-Püschel, Beata [Department of Engineering Physics, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 1500 Engineering Dr., Madison, WI 53706 (United States); Meyer, Mitch [Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID 83415 (United States); Xu, Peng; Lahoda, Edward J. [Westinghouse Electric Company LLC, Pittsburgh, PA 15235 (United States); Butt, Darryl P., E-mail: DarrylButt@BoiseState.edu [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Boise State University, 1910 University Dr., Boise, ID 83725 (United States); Center for Advanced Energy Studies, 995 University Blvd., Idaho Falls, ID 83401 (United States)

2015-11-15

The design and development of an economical, accident tolerant fuel (ATF) for use in the current light water reactor (LWR) fleet is highly desirable for the future of nuclear power. Uranium mononitride has been identified as an alternative fuel with higher uranium density and thermal conductivity when compared to the benchmark, UO{sub 2}, which could also provide significant economic benefits. However, UN by itself reacts with water at reactor operating temperatures. In order to reduce its reactivity, the addition of UO{sub 2} to UN has been suggested. In order to avoid carbon impurities, UN was synthesized from elemental uranium using a hydride-dehydride-nitride thermal synthesis route prior to mixing with up to 10 wt% UO{sub 2} in a planetary ball mill. UN and UN – UO{sub 2} composite pellets were sintered in Ar – (0–1 at%) N{sub 2} to study the effects of nitrogen concentration on the evolved phases and microstructure. UN and UN-UO{sub 2} composite pellets were also sintered in Ar – 100 ppm N{sub 2} to assess the effects of temperature (1700–2000 °C) on the final grain morphology and phase concentration.

Fission gas release from ThO2 and ThO2--UO2 fuels (LWBR development program)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Goldberg, I.; Spahr, G.L.; White, L.S.; Waldman, L.A.; Giovengo, J.F.; Pfennigwerth, P.L.; Sherman, J.

1978-08-01

Fission gas release data are presented from 51 fuel rods irradiated as part of the LWBR irradiations test program. The fuel rods were Zircaloy-4 clad and contained ThO 2 or ThO 2 -UO 2 fuel pellets, with UO 2 compositions ranging from 2.0 to 24.7 weight percent and fuel densities ranging from 77.8 to 98.7 percent of theoretical. Rod diameters ranged from 0.25 to 0.71 inches and fuel active lengths ranged from 3 to 84 inches. Peak linear power outputs ranged from 2 to 22 kw/ft for peak fuel burnups up to 56,000 MWD/MTM. Measured fission gas release was quite low, ranging from 0.1 to 5.2 percent. Fission gas release was higher at higher temperature and burnup and was lower at higher initial fuel density. No sensitivity to UO 2 composition was evidenced

Effect of water α radiolysis on the spent nuclear fuel UO2 matrix alteration

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lucchini, J.F.

2001-01-01

In the option of long term storage or direct disposal of nuclear spent fuel, it is essential to study the long-term behaviour of the spent fuel matrix (UO 2 ) in water, in presence of ionizing radiations. This work gives some knowledge elements about the impact of aerated water alpha radiolysis on UO 2 alteration. An original experiment method was used in this study. UO 2 /water interfaces were irradiated by an external He 2+ ions beam. The sequential batch dissolution tests on UO 2 samples were performed in aerated deionized water, before, during and after a-irradiation under high fluxes. A corrosion product, identified as hydrated uranium peroxide, was formed on the UO 2 surface. The uranium release was 3 to 4 orders of magnitude higher under irradiation than out of irradiation. The concentrations of the radiolysis products H 2 O 2 and H 3 O + were affected by the uranium oxide surface. They could not only explain the whole uranium release reached during irradiation in water. Leaching experiments on UO X spent fuel samples (with or without the Zircaloy clad) were also performed, in hot cells. The uranium release was relatively small, and H 2 O 2 was not detected in solution. The rates of uranium release in aerated water during one hour were calculated. They were about mg -1 .m -2 .d -1 for spent fuel and for UO 2 , and about g -1 .m -2 .d -1 for UO 2 irradiated by He 2+ ions. The comparison of the results between the two kinds of experiment shows a difference of the behaviour in water between UO 2 irradiated by He 2+ ions and spent fuel. Some hypothesis are given to explain this difference. (author)

Effect of additives in sintering UO2-7wt%Gd2O3 fuel pellets

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Santos, L.R.; Riella, H.G.

2009-01-01

Gadolinium has been used as burnable poison for reactivity control in modern PWRs. The incorporation of Gd 2 O 3 powder directly into the UO 2 powder enables longer fuel cycles and optimized fuel utilization. Nevertheless, processing by this method leads to difficulties while obtaining sintered pellets with the minimum required density. The process for manufacturing UO 2 - Gd 2 O 3 generates scraps that should be reused. The main scraps are green and sintered pellets, which must be calcined to U 3 O 8 to return to the fabrication process. Also, the incorporation of Gd 2 O 3 in UO 2 requires the use of an additive to improve the sintering process, in order to achieve the physical properties specified for the mixed fuel, mainly density and microstructure. This paper describes the effect of the addition of fabrication scraps on the properties of the UO 2 -Gd 2 O 3 fuel. Aluminum hydroxide Al(OH) 3 was also incorporated to the fuel as a sintering aid. The results shown that the use of 2000 ppm of Al(OH) 3 as additive allow to fabricate good pellets with up to 10 wt% of recycled scraps. (author)

Microprobe analysis of PuO2--UO2 nuclear fuel

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Clark, W.I.; Rasmussen, D.E.; Carlson, R.L.; Highley, D.M.

1977-01-01

For the preirradiation characterization of FFTF UO 2 --PuO 2 fuel, a program was developed to determine the preirradiation porosity, grain structure, and microcomposition of the fuel. Two computer programs, MITRAN and MERIT, were developed to evaluate the homogeneity of the fuel. These programs use elemental composition data generated by the electron microprobe. MITRAN determines information on the size and frequency of individual regions, whereas MERIT provides an index of the thermal performance of the fuel and calculated statistical data for comparison to other fuel batches

The uranium recovery from UO{sub 2} kernel production effluent

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Chen, Xiaotong, E-mail: chenxiaotong@tsinghua.edu.cn; He, Linfeng; Liu, Bing; Tang, Yaping; Tang, Chunhe

2016-12-15

Graphical abstract: In this study, a flow sheet including evaporation, flocculation, filtration, adsorption, and reverse osmosis was established for the UO{sub 2} kernel production effluent of HTR spherical fuel elements. The uranium recovery could reach 99.9% after the treatment, with almost no secondary pollution produced. Based on the above experimental results, the treating flow process in this study would be feasible for laboratory- and engineering-scale treatment of UO{sub 2} kernel production effluent of HTR spherical fuel elements. - Highlights: • A flow sheet including evaporation, flocculation, filtration, adsorption, and reverse osmosis was established for the UO{sub 2} kernel production effluent. • The uranium recovery could reach 99.9% after the treatment, with almost no secondary pollution produced. • The treating flow process would be feasible for laboratory- and engineering-scale treatment of UO{sub 2} kernel production effluent. - Abstract: For the fabrication of coated particle fuel elements of high temperature gas cooled reactors, the ceramic UO{sub 2} kernels are prepared through chemical gelation of uranyl nitrate solution droplets, which produces radioactive effluent with components of ammonia, uranium, organic compounds and ammonium nitrate. In this study, a flow sheet including evaporation, flocculation, filtration, adsorption, and reverse osmosis was established for the effluent treating. The uranium recovery could reach 99.9% after the treatment, with almost no secondary pollution produced.

Technological aspects concerning the production procedures of UO2-Gd2O3 nuclear fuel

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Durazzo, Michelangelo; Riella, Humberto Gracher

2007-01-01

The direct incorporation of Gd 2 O 3 powder into UO 2 powder by dry mechanical blending is the most attractive process for producing UO 2 -Gd 2 O 3 nuclear fuel. However, previous experimental results by our group indicated that pore formation due to the Kirkendall effect delays densification and, consequently, diminishes the final density of this type of nuclear fuel. Considering this mechanism as responsible for the poor sintering behavior of UO 2 -Gd 2 O 3 fuel prepared by the mechanical blending method, it was possible to propose, discuss and, in certain cases, preliminarily test feasible adjustments in fabrication procedures that would minimize, or even totally compensate, the negative effects of pore formation due to the Kirkendall effect. This work presents these considerations. (author)

Development of Innovative Accident Tolerant High Thermal Conductivity UO₂-Diamond Composite Fuel Pellets

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Tulenko, James [Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL (United States); Subhash, Ghatu [Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL (United States)

2016-01-01

The University of Florida (UF) evaluated a composite fuel consisting of UO₂ powder mixed with diamond micro particles as a candidate as an accident-tolerant fuel (ATF). The research group had previous extensive experience researching with diamond micro particles as an addition to reactor coolant for improved plant thermal performance. The purpose of this research work was to utilize diamond micro particles to develop UO₂-Diamond composite fuel pellets with significantly enhanced thermal properties, beyond that already being measured in the previous UF research projects of UO₂ – SiC and UO₂ – Carbon Nanotube fuel pins. UF is proving with the current research results that the addition of diamond micro particles to UO₂ may greatly enhanced the thermal conductivity of the UO₂ pellets producing an accident-tolerant fuel. The Beginning of life benefits have been proven and fuel samples are being irradiated in the ATR reactor to confirm that the thermal conductivity improvements are still present under irradiation.

Spent fuel UO{sub 2} matrix corrosion behaviour studies through alpha-doped UO{sub 2} pellets leaching

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Muzeau, B.; Jegou, C.; Broudic, V. [CEA-Valrho DEN/DTCD/SECM Laboratoire des Materiaux et Procedes Actifs BP 17171 F-30207 Bagnols-sur-Ceze cedex (France)

2005-07-01

Full text of publication follows: The option of direct disposal of spent nuclear fuel in a deep geological formation raises the need to investigate the long-term behaviour of the UO{sub 2} matrix in aqueous media subjected to {alpha}-{beta}-{gamma} radiations. The {beta}-{gamma} emitters account for the most of the activity of spent fuel at the moment it is removed from the reactor, but diminish within a millennial time frame by over three orders of magnitude to less than the long-term activity. The latter persist over much longer time periods and must therefore be taken into account over geological disposal scale. In the present investigation the UO{sub 2} matrix corrosion under alpha radiation is studied as a function of different parameters such as: the alpha activity, the carbonates and hydrogen concentrations,.. In order to study the effect of alpha radiolysis of water on the UO{sub 2} matrix, {sup 238/239}Pu doped UO{sub 2} pellets (0.22 %wt. Pu total) were fabricated with different {sup 238}Pu/{sup 239}Pu ratio to reproduce the alpha activity of a 47 GWd.t{sub HMi}{sup -1} UOX spent fuel at different milestones in time (15, 50, 1500, 10000 and 40000 years). Undoped UO{sub 2} pellets were also available as reference sample. Leaching experiments were conducted in deionized or carbonated water (NaHCO{sub 3} 1 mM), under Argon (O{sub 2} < 0.1 ppm), or Ar/H{sub 2} 30% gas mixture. Previous experiments conducted in deionized water under argon atmosphere, have shown a good correlation between alpha activity and uranium release for the 15-, 1500- and 40000-years alpha doped UO{sub 2} batches. Besides, uranium release in the leachate is controlled either by the kinetics, or by the thermodynamics. Provided the solubility limit of uranium is not achieved, uranium concentration increases and is only limited by the kinetics, unless precipitation occurs and the uranium concentration remains constant over time. These controls are highly dependant on the solution chemistry

Improving the Thermal Conductivity of UO2 Fuel with the Addition of Graphene

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cho, Byoung Jin; Kim, Young Jin; Sohn, Dong Seong

2012-01-01

Improvement of fuel performances by increasing the fuel thermal conductivity using the BeO or W were reported elsewhere. In this paper, some major fuel performances of improved thermal conductivity oxide (ICO) nuclear fuel with the addition of 10 v/o graphene have been compared to those of standard UO 2 fuel. The fuel thermal conductivity affects many performance parameters and thus is an important parameter to determine the fuel performance. Furthermore, it also affects the performance of the fuel during reactor accidents. The improved thermal conductivity of the fuel would reduce the fuel temperature at the same power condition and would improve the fission gas release, rod internal pressure and fuel stored energy. Graphene is well known for its excellent electrical conductivity, strength and thermal conductivity. The addition of graphene to the UO 2 fuel could increase the thermal conductivity of the ICO fuel. Although the graphene material is extensively studied recently, the characteristics of the graphene material, especially the thermal properties, are not well-known yet. In this study, we used the Light Water Reactor fuel performance analysis code FRAPCON-3.2 to analyze the performance of standard UO 2 and ICO fuel

Correlation between fuel structure and mechanical properties of UO2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Blank, H.; Mandler, R.; Matzke, H.; Routbort, J.; Werner, P.

1982-10-01

The relation between the structure of a UO 2 fuel and its mechanical properties are discussed and illustrated for particular types of UO 2 by measurements of fracture surface energy, hardness, fracture stress and of compressive deformation at 1870 and 1970 0 K. This gives the background for treating the question whether it is possible to find a simple experimental method for correlating the mechanical properties of UO 2 before irradiation with those after various irradiation histories. Hardness measurements might be such a method if combined with a detailed structural analysis and sufficient knowledge about the irradiation history

Effect of titania addition on the thermal conductivity of UO2 fuel [Paper IIIB-C

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sengupta, A.K.; Kumar, A.; Arora, K.B.S.; Pandey, V.D.; Nair, M.R.; Kamath, H.S.

1986-01-01

Pellet clad interaction in nuclear reactor fuel elements can be reduced by the use of higher grain size UO 2 fuel. This is achieved by the addition of dopant like titania, niobia etc. However, these dopants are considered as impurities which may affect the thermophysical and thermomechanical properties of the fuel. Thermal Conductivity which is one of the important properties controlling the inpile performance of the fuel has been measured for pure UO 2 and UO 2 containing 0.05wt per cent and 0.1wt per cent TiO 2 in the temperature range 900K to 1900K in vacuum. Thermal conductivity was obtained from thermal diffusivity data measured by laser flash method. The paper highlights the experimental results and discusses the effect of TiO 2 on the thermal conductivity of UO 2 fuel. (author)

Effect of titania addition on the thermal conductivity of UO2 fuel (Paper IIIB-C)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sengupta, A K; Kumar, A; Arora, K B.S.; Pandey, V D; Nair, M R; Kamath, H S

1986-01-01

Pellet clad interaction in nuclear reactor fuel elements can be reduced by the use of higher grain size UO2 fuel. This is achieved by the addition of dopant like titania, niobia etc. However, these dopants are considered as impurities which may affect the thermophysical and thermomechanical properties of the fuel. Thermal Conductivity which is one of the important properties controlling the inpile performance of the fuel has been measured for pure UO2 and UO2 containing 0.05wt per cent and 0.1wt per cent TiO2 in the temperature range 900K to 1900K in vacuum. Thermal conductivity was obtained from thermal diffusivity data measured by laser flash method. The paper highlights the experimental results and discusses the effect of TiO2 on the thermal conductivity of UO2 fuel. 5 figures.

Physical characteristics of Gd2O3-UO2 fuel in LWR

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Matsuura, Shojiro; Kobayashi, Iwao; Furuta, Toshiro; Toba, Masao; Tsuda, Katsuhiro.

1981-12-01

A series of critical experiments in light water lattice were carried out on five kinds of Gadolinia-Uranium dioxide (Gd 2 O 3 -UO 2 ) test fuel rods containing 0.0, 0.05, 0.25, 1.50, 3.00 weight % of Gd 2 O 3 in Gd 2 O 3 -UO 2 . Reactivity effect, power distribution, neutron flux distribution, and temperature coefficient were measured for three types of lattices which were in shapes of annular, rectangular parallele-piped, and JPDR mockup core. The theoretical values corresponding to the measured ones were obtained by means of the design method for the FTA which is the test fuel assembly with Gd 2 O 3 -UO 2 rods for JPDR, and the accuracy was checked. In general, the calculated values were in good agreement with the measured ones. Besides, the following characteristics of Gd 2 O 3 -UO 2 rods are recognized both in measurement and calculation, i.e. (1) the effect due to gadolinia on reactivity, power distribution, and thermal neutron flux distribution are steeply saturating; the gadolinia content of only 1.50 weight % is enough to reach the almost saturated condition, (2) the relative power becomes 20% to that of normal fuel under the saturated condition, (3) the relation between the negative reactivity and the power depression effect due to gadolinia is almost linear, and (4) the interference on power depression between the adjacent gadolinia loaded rods is almost negligible, and that on reactivity effect is 15% at most. (author)

Optimization of Additive-Powder Characteristics for Metallic Micro-Cell UO{sub 2} Fuel Pellet Fabrication

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kim, Dong-Joo; Kim, Keon Sik; Rhee, Young Woo; Kim, Jong Hun; Oh, Jang Soo; Yang, Jae Ho; Koo, Yang-Hyun [Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Daejeon (Korea, Republic of)

2015-05-15

The improvement in the thermal conductivity of the UO{sub 2} fuel pellet can enhance the fuel performance in various aspects. The mobility of the fission gases is reduced by the lower temperature gradient in the UO{sub 2} fuel pellet. That is to say, the capability of the fission gas retention of the fuel pellet can increase. In addition, the lower centerline temperature of the fuel pellet affects the accident tolerance for nuclear fuel as well as the enhancement of fuel safety and fuel pellet integrity under normal operation conditions. The nuclear reactor power can be uprated owing to the higher safety margin. Thus, many researches on enhancing the thermal conductivity of a nuclear fuel pellet for LWRs have been performed. Typically, an enhancement of the thermal conductivity of the UO{sub 2} fuel pellet can be obtained by the addition of a higher thermal conductive material in the fuel pellet. To maximize the effect of the thermal conductivity enhancement, a continuous and uniform channel of the thermal conductive material in the UO{sub 2} matrix must be formed. To enhance the thermal conductivity of a UO{sub 2} fuel pellet, the development of fabrication process of a Cr metallic micro-cell UO{sub 2} pellet with a continuous and uniform channel of the Cr metallic phase was carried out. The formation of the Cr-oxide phases was prevented and the uniformity of the Cr-metal phase distribution was enhanced simultaneously, through the optimization of the additive-powder characteristics. In the results, the Cr metallic micro-cell pellet with continuous and uniform Cr metallic channel could be obtained.

Irradiation of UO{sub 2}; Ozracivanje UO{sub 2}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Stevanovic, M [Institute of nuclear sciences Boris Kidric, Vinca, Beograd (Yugoslavia)

1965-10-15

Based on the review of the available literature concerned with UO{sub 2} irradiation, this paper describes and explains the phenomena initiated by irradiation of the UO{sub 2} fuel in a reactor dependent on the burnup level and temperature. A comprehensive review of UO{sub 2} radiation damage studies is given as a broad research program. This part includes the abilities of our reactor as well as needed elements for such study. The third part includes the defions of the specific power, burnup level and temperature in the center of the fuel element needed for planning and performing the irradiation. Methods for calculating these parameters are includedSerb. Na osnovu pregleda dostupne literature o ozracivanju UO{sub 2} u ovom radu su izlozene i objasnjene pojave koje nastaju pri ozracivanju goriva od UO{sub 2} u reaktoru do razlicitih stepena izgaranja i na razlicitim temperaturama. Pored toga, dat je pregled svih mogucih ispitivanja na radijacionom ostecenju UO{sub 2} u formi sirokog programa istrazivanja. Ovaj deo je dopunjen sudom o mogucnostima naseg reaktora kao i o elementima koji su potrebni za ovakav rad. U trecem delu su izlozeni definicija parametara: specificna snaga, stepen izgaranja i temperatura centra goriva i njihovo izracunavanje za potrebe postavljanja i izvodjenja ozracivanja (author)

Critical sizes of light-water moderated UO2 and PuO2-UO2 lattices

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tsuruta, Harumichi; Kobayashi, Iwao; Suzuki, Takenori; Ohno, Akio; Murakami, Kiyonobu

1978-02-01

Experimental critical sizes are presented for a total of about 250 lattices with 2.6 w/o UO 2 and 3.0 w/o PuO 2 -natural UO 2 fuel rods. The moderator was H 2 O and water-to-fuel volume ratios in the lattice cells ranged from 1.50 to 3.00 in the UO 2 lattices and from 2.42 to 5.55 in the PuO 2 -UO 2 lattices. The critical sizes were determined with the number of the fuel rods and a water level which were required to make the lattice critical in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped over the temperature range from room temperature to 80 0 C. Reactivity variations of the PuO 2 -UO 2 lattices due to decaying of 241 Pu to 241 Am were traced during 3 years. Some critical sizes of the UO 2 and PuO 2 -UO 2 lattices with a water gap and of the UO 2 lattices with liquid poison in the moderator are also reported. Some physics parameters, such as the temperature coefficient of reactivity, the water-level worth, the reflector saving, the ratio between a migration area and an infinite multiplication factor and the critical buckling, are shown in relation to the critical sizes of the unperturbed lattices without the water gap and liquid poison. (auth.)

Technical evaluation of the direct denitration process to obtain ceramic-grade UO2 powders using microwaves

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lorenzo, Viviana J.; Marchi, Daniel E.; Menghini, Jorge E.

1999-01-01

The direct denitration process to obtain ceramic-grade UO 2 powders using microwaves has been studied and developed at laboratory scale. Conditions were given to obtain powders apt for fuel pellets fabrication within the required specifications, where mechanical treatments before pressing are not necessary. This work describes the equipment used in the process, evaluates the necessary supply and waste generation and describes the characteristics of the product obtained, as well as the conditions for its fabrication. Results show that this method allows to reduce the volume of liquid wastes generated due to their partial re-utilization, simplifying their final disposal treatment, which, in addition to their operational advantages, make this method attractive from the economical point of view. (author)

Out-of-pile UO2/Zircaloy-4 experiments under severe fuel damage conditions

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hofmann, P.

1983-01-01

Chemical interactions between UO 2 fuel and Zircaloy-4 cladding up to the melting point of zircaloy (Zry) are described. Out-of-pile UO 2 /zircaloy reaction experiments have been performed to investigate the chemical interaction behavior under possible severe fuel damage conditions (very high temperatures and external overpressure). The tests have been conducted in inert gas (1 to 80 bar) with 10-cm-long zircaloy cladding specimens filled with UO 2 pellets. The annealing temperature varied between 1000 and 1700 deg. C and the annealing period between 1 and 150 min. The extent of the chemical reaction depends decisively on whether or not good contact between UO 2 and zircaloy has been established. If solid contact exists, zircaloy reduces the UO 2 to form oxygen-stabilized α-Zr(O) and uranium metal. The uranium reacts with zircaloy to form a (U,Zr) alloy rich in uranium. The (U,Zr) alloy, which is liquid above approx. 1150 deg. C, lies between two α-Zr(O) layers. The UO 2 /zircaloy reaction obeys a parabolic rate law. The degree of chemical interaction is determined by the extent of oxygen diffusion into the cladding, and hence by the time and temperature. The affinity of zirconium for oxygen, which results in an oxygen gradient across the cladding, is the driving force for the reaction. The growth of the reaction layers can be represented in an Arrhenius diagram. The UO 2 /Zry-4 reaction occurs as rapidly as the steam/Zry-4 reaction above about 1100 deg. C. The extent of the interaction is independent of external pressure above about 10 bar at 1400 deg. C and 5 bar at 1700 deg. C. The maximum measured oxygen content of the cladding is approx. 6wt.%. Up to approx. 9 volume % of the UO 2 can be chemically dissolved by the zircaloy. In an actual fuel rod, complete release of the fission products in this region of the fuel must therefore be assumed. (author)

The influence of porosity on the thermal conductivity of irradiated UO2 fuel

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bakker, K.; Kwast, H.; Cordfunke, E.H.P.

1994-12-01

The influence of porosity on the thermal conductivity of irradiated UO 2 fuel has been determined with the Finite Element Method (FEM). Light-microscopy photographs were made of the fuel. The pore shape and the pore distribution are entered in the FEM program from these photographs. The two dimensional (2D) thermal conductivity in the plane of the photograph is obtained from the FEM calculations. The 2D thermal conductivity, that has no physical meaning itself, is the lower limit of the three dimensional (3D) thermal conductivity. For three well defined pore shapes the relation is determined between the 2D thermal conductivity and the 3D thermal conductivity. From these computations a simple relation is obtained that transfers the 2D thermal conductivity into the 3D thermal conductivity, independent of the pore shape. The influence of porosity on the 3D thermal conductivity of irradiated UO 2 fuel and UO 2 fuel doped with Nb 2 O 5 was computed with the FEM. (orig.)

Fission gas release from the sintered UO{sub 2} fuel; Oslobadjanje fisionih gasova iz goriva od sinterovanog UO{sub 2}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sigulinski, F; Stevanovic, M [Institute of Nuclear Sciences Boris Kidric, Vinca, Beograd (Yugoslavia)

1966-11-15

This paper shoes the phenomena which control fission gases release from the sintered UO{sub 2} dependent of the burnup rate: ejection, release, diffusion, increased fission gas accumulation causing structural changes in the fuel. release of fission gases from the fuel for power reactors was studied as well. The influence of factors as temperature, characteristics of fuel, burnup rate and burnup level was analyzed. Prikazani su mehanizmi koji kontrolisu izdvajanje fisionih gasova iz sinterovanog UO{sub 2} pri razlicitim brzinama izgaranja: izletanje, izbijanje, difuzija, povecano izdvajanje fisionih gasova koje prati strukturne promene u gorivu. Razmatrano je proucavanje izdvajanja fisionih gasova iz goriva za reaktore snage. Analiziran je uticaj faktora kao sto su temperatura, karakteristike goriva, brzina i stepen izgaranja (author)

Method of producing granulated ceramic nuclear fuels

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wilkinson, W.L.

1976-01-01

For the production of granulated ceramic nuclear fuels with a grain size spectrum as narrow as possible it is proposed to suspend the nuclear fuel powder in a non-aqueous solvent with small content of hydrogen (e.g. chloridized hydrocarbons) while adding a binding agent and then dry it by means of rays. As binding agent polybutyl methane acrylate in dibutyl phthalate is proposed. The method is described by the example of UO 2 -powder in trichloroethylene. The dry granulated material is produced in one working step. (UWI) [de

Criticality experiments with low enriched UO2 fuel rods in water containing dissolved gadolinium

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bierman, S.R.; Murphy, E.S.; Clayton, E.D.; Keay, R.T.

1984-02-01

The results obtained in a criticality experiments program performed for British Nuclear Fuels, Ltd. (BNFL) under contract with the United States Department of Energy (USDOE) are presented in this report along with a complete description of the experiments. The experiments involved low enriched UO 2 and PuO 2 -UO 2 fuel rods in water containing dissolved gadolinium, and are in direct support of BNFL plans to use soluble compounds of the neutron poison gadolinium as a primary criticality safeguard in the reprocessing of low enriched nuclear fuels. The experiments were designed primarily to provide data for validating a calculation method being developed for BNFL design and safety assessments, and to obtain data for the use of gadolinium as a neutron poison in nuclear chemical plant operations - particularly fuel dissolution. The experiments program covers a wide range of neutron moderation (near optimum to very under-moderated) and a wide range of gadolinium concentration (zero to about 2.5 g Gd/l). The measurements provide critical and subcritical k/sub eff/ data (1 greater than or equal to k/sub eff/ greater than or equal to 0.87) on fuel-water assemblies of UO 2 rods at two enrichments (2.35 wt % and 4.31 wt % 235 U) and on mixed fuel-water assemblies of UO 2 and PuO 2 -UO 2 rods containing 4.31 wt % 235 U and 2 wt % PuO 2 in natural UO 2 respectively. Critical size of the lattices was determined with water containing no gadolinium and with water containing dissolved gadolinium nitrate. Pulsed neutron source measurements were performed to determine subcritical k/sub eff/ values as additional amounts of gadolinium were successively dissolved in the water of each critical assembly. Fission rate measurements in 235 U using solid state track recorders were made in each of the three unpoisoned critical assemblies, and in the near-optimum moderated and the close-packed poisoned assemblies of this fuel

Grain growth in UO2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hastings, I.J.; Scoberg, J.A.; Walden, W.

1979-06-01

Grain growth studies have been carried out on UO 2 to provide data for the fuel modelling program and to evaluate fuel fabricated in commissioning the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Laboratory at Chalk River Nuclear Laboratories. Fuel examined includes natural UO 2 commercially fabricated from ADU powder for CANDU reactors; natural UO 2 commercially fabricated from AU powder; natural UO 2 from ADU and AU powder, fabricated in the MOFFL; and commercially fabricated UO 2 enriched 1.7, 4.5, and 9.6 wt. percent U-235 in U. Samples were step-annealed in vacuo at 1870-2070 K for up to 32.5 h. All data fit a (grain size)sup(2.5) versus annealing time relationship. Apparent activation energy for grain growth, Q, depends on fuel type and varies from 150+-10 kJ/mol for early AU powder to 360+-10 kJ/mol for pellets from ADU fabricated in the MOFFL. Grain sizes calculated using the laboratory equation in a fuel performance code tend to be greater than those measured in irradiated natural fuel, suggesting irradiation-induced inhibition of grain growth. However, any inhibition is equivalent to that expected for a systematic 5 percent underpredicition in reactor power. (author)

Leaching of irradiated CANDU UO2 fuel

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vandergraaf, T.T.; Johnson, L.H.; Lau, D.W.P.

1980-01-01

Irradiated fuel, leached at room temperature with distilled water and with slightly chlorinated river water, releases approx. 4% of its cesium inventory over a comparatively sort period of a few days but releases its actinides and rare earths more slowly. The matrix itself dissolves at a rate conservatively calculated to be less than approx. 2 x 10 -6 g UO 2 /cm 2 day and, with time, the leach rates of the various nuclides approach this value

Qualification of power determination and in-pile measurements in the UO{sub 2} Gd{sub 2} 0{sub 2} fuel irradiation test IFA 636

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Tverberg, T.; Volkov, B.; Kim, J-C.

2004-04-15

IFA-S36 is irradiated with the main objective of extending the database on the performance of UO{sub 2}Gd{sub 2}O{sub 2} fuel (with 8% absorbing gadolinia isotopes) compared with commercial UO{sub 2}. The rig carries 6 rods in the lower cluster (including three Gd-doped fuel rods) and 3 rods in the upper cluster (one rod with Gd-doped fuel). The rods are instrumented with expansion thermometers (ETs), fuel and cladding elongation detectors (EFs and ECs) and pressure transducers (PFs). Repeated calorimetric power measurements, physics calculations by the HELIOS code and gamma scans of selected rods in both clusters enabled the power and burnup determination to be qualified and corrected. The data suggest that as of May 2004 the power ratings in both fuels are much alike and burnups are about 30 and 34 MW/kgUO{sub 2} in the Gd-doped and ordinary UO{sub 2} rods respectively. Analysis of in-pile measurements compared with calculations shows that neutron absorption affects fuel temperature, power and burnup radial distributions in Gd-doped fuel at BOL compared with UO{sub 2} fuel. Sensitivity analyses performed with the HELIOS and FTEMP3 codes show that fuel centreline temperature in Gd-doped fuel is influenced by radial power depression, depletion of fissile materials and absorbing Gd isotopes as well as thermal conductivity of the fuel matrix and its degradation during irradiation. Analysis of the fuel dimension changes revealed densification only in the UO{sub 2} fuel whereas fuel elongation measurements in the Gd-doped fuel rods indicated essentially constant swelling with burnup. At burnups above 5 MWd/kgUO{sub 2} the swelling rate was about 0.5-O.fi % DELTAV/V per 10 MWd/kgUO{sub 2} for both fuel types. Internal pressure measured in the Gd-doped rod at BOL showed slight fuel densification and possibly He gas absorption, whereas derived swelling rate was somewhat Iarger than values obtained from the fuel elongation measurements. Cladding elongation measurements

Performance evaluation of UO2-Zr fuel in power ramp tests

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Knudsen, P.; Bagger, C.

1977-01-01

In power reactors using UO 2 -Zr fuel, rapid power increases may lead to failures in fuel pins that have been irradiated at steady or decreasing heat loads. This paper presents results which extend the experience with power ramp performance of high burn-up fuel pins. A test fuel element containing both pellet and vipac UO 2 -Zr fuel pins was irradiated in the HBWR at Halden for effectively 2 1/2 years to an average burn-up of 21,000 MWD/te UO 2 at gradually decreasing power levels. The subsequent non-destructive characterization revealed formation of transverse cracks in the vipac fuel columns. After the HBWR irradiation, five of the fuel pins were power ramp tested individually in the DR 3 Reactor at Riso. The ramp rates in this test series were in the range 3-60 W/cm min. The maximum local heat loads seen in the ramp tests were 20-120% above the highest levels experienced at the same axial positions during the HBWR irradiation. Three pellets and one vipac fuel pin failed, whereas another vipac pin gave no indication of clad penetration. Profilometry after the ramp testing indicated the formation of small ridges for both types of fuel pins. For vipac fuel, the ridges were less regularly distributed along the pin length than for pellet fuel. Neutron radiography revealed the formation of additional transverse and longitudinal fuel cracks during the power ramps for both types of fuel pins. The observed failures seemed to be marginal since little or no indication as to the locations of the clad penetrations could be derived from the non-destructive post-irradiation examinations. The cases have been analyzed by means of the Danish fuel performance codes. The calculations, which are in general agreement with the observations, are discussed. The results of the investigations indicate qualitative similarities in over power performance of the two fuel types

Densification Behavior of BN-added UO2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rhee, Young Woo; Kim, Keonsik; Kim, Dong Joo; Kim, Jong Hun; Oh, Jang Soo; Yang, Jae Ho

2013-01-01

Local wall thinning in pipelines affects the structural integrity of industries like nuclear power plants (NPPs). In the present study a pulsed eddy current (PEC) technology to detect the wall thing of carbon steel pipe covered with insulation is developed. Boron is commercially used as a neutron absorber fuel. A neutron absorber fuel is burned out or depleted during reactor operation. Westinghouse have been produced the Integral Fuel Burnable Absorber (IFBA) which is enriched UO 2 fuel pellets with a thin coating of zirconium diboride (ZrB 2 ) on the outer surface. Standard sintered fuel pellets are sputter coated with ZrB 2 . It is known that IFBA fuel can incur 20% to 30% additional fabrication costs. Boron-dispersed UO 2 fuel pellet made by the conventional pressing and sintering process of a powder mixture of UO 2 and B compound might be more cost-effective than IFBAs. M. G. Andrew et al. tried to sinter boron-dispersed UO 2 green pellet. However, they reported that boron-dispersed UO 2 fuel pellet is very difficult to be fabricated with a sufficient level of boron retention and high sintered density (greater than 90 % of theoretical density) because of the volatilization of boron oxide. We have investigated the densification behavior of mixtures of UO 2 and various boron compounds, such as B 4 C, BN, TiB 2 , ZrB 2 , SiB 6 , and HfB 2 . Boron compounds seemed to act as a sintering additive for UO 2 at a certain low temperature range. In this study, the densification behavior of BN-added UO 2 pellet has been investigated by sintering green pellets of a mixture of UO 2 powder and BN powder in H 2 atmosphere. A high density BN-added UO 2 pellet can be fabricated after sintering at 1200 .deg. C for more than 1 h in a H 2 atmosphere. The sintered density of BN-added UO 2 pellet can be increased up to about 95 %TD

Procedure for the fabrication of ceramic fuel pellets with an adjustable structure

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Henke, M.; Klemm, U.; Sobek, D.

1986-01-01

The invention concerns a procedure for the fabrication of ceramic fuel pellets of UO 2 , PuO 2 , ThO 2 and their mixtures with an adjustable structure. Before or during the milling the particle shaped fuel pellets have been added polyethylenglycol in a 20 - 60 % aqueous solution with an amount of 0.5 - 2.0 % in weight. This additive has an effect on a controlled pore formation and grain growth advancement

Physics of the fuel cycle. Evaluation of methods, uncertainties and estimation of the material balance for fuels UO2 and UO2-PuO2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Monier, C.

1997-09-01

The research works of this thesis are aimed to evaluate the methods and the associated uncertainties for the material balances estimation of the burn-up UO 2 and MOX fuels which intervene in the fuel cycle physics. The studies carried out are used to qualify the cycle 'package' DARWIN for the PWRs material balances estimation. The elaboration and optimisation of the calculation routes are carried out following a very specific methodology, aimed at estimating the bias introduced by the modelizations simplification by a comparison with almost exact reference modelizations. Depending on the precision goals and the informations, the permissible approximation will be determined. Two calculation routes have been developed and the qualified by applying them to the used fuels isotopic analysis interpretation: one 'industry-oriented' calculation route which can calculate full UO 2 assemblies material balances with a 2 % precision on the main actinides, respecting the industrial specifications. This route must run with a reasonable calculation time and stay user-friendly; one reference calculation route for the precise interpretation of fuel samples made of pieces of burn-up MOX rods. Aiming to provide material balances with the best possible precision, this route does not have the same specifications concerning its use and its calculation time performance. (author)

Effect of titania addition on hot hardness of UO{sub 2}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sengupta, A.K. E-mail: arghya@apsara.barc.ernet.in; Basak, C.B.; Jarvis, T.; Bhagat, R.K.; Pandey, V.D.; Majumdar, S

2004-02-15

Large grain UO{sub 2} is a potential fuel for LWR's for achieving extended burn up. Large grains are obtained by addition of dopants like Nb{sub 2}O{sub 5}, TiO{sub 2}, Cr{sub 2}O{sub 3}, V{sub 2}O{sub 5} etc. However, presence of such dopants might affect the thermophysical and thermomechanical properties of the fuel. In the present investigation the effect of TiO{sub 2} addition on the hot hardness (H) of sintered UO{sub 2} fuel has been studied from ambient to 1573 K in vacuum. TiO{sub 2} content was varied from 0.01 to 0.15 w/o resulting in a grain size (G) variation of 9 to 94 {mu}m. With increase in grain size (or TiO{sub 2} content) H first decreases, attains a minima and then increases further. The increase is more prominent at lower temperature (<773 K) than that at higher temperatures. H vs. G{sup -1/2} plots indicates the same type of variation like other oxide ceramics with H minima at an intermediate grain size at low temperature. The intrinsic hardness and softening coefficient of UO{sub 2} indicate cubic dependence on TiO{sub 2} content.

Microstructural change and its influence on fission gas release in high burnup UO 2 fuel

Science.gov (United States)

Une, K.; Nogita, K.; Kashibe, S.; Imamura, M.

1992-06-01

The microstructural change of UO 2 fuel pellets (burnup: 6-83 GWd/t), base irradiated under LWR conditions, has been studied by detailed postirradiation examinations. The lattice parameter near the fuel rim in the irradiated UO 2 increased with burnup and appeared to become constant beyond about 50 GWd/t. This lattice dilation was mainly due to the accumulation of radiation induced point defects. Moreover, the dislocation density in the UO 2 matrix developed progressively with burnup, and eventually the tangled dislocations organized many sub-grain boundaries in the highest burnup fuel of 83 GWd/t. This sub-grain structure induced by accumulated radiation damage was compatible in appearance with SEM fractography results which revealed sub-divided grains of sub-micron size in as-fabricated grains. The influence of burnup on 85Kr release from the UO 2 fuels has been examined by means of a postirradiation annealing technique. The higher fractional release of high burnup fuels was mainly due to the burnup dependence of the fractional burst release evolved on temperature ramp. The fractional burst release was represented in terms of the square root of burnup from 6 to 83 GWd/t.

Application of boron and gadolinium burnable poison particles in UO2 and PUO2 fuels in HTRs

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kloosterman, J.L.

2003-01-01

Burnup calculations have been performed on a standard HTR fuel pebble (fuel zone with radius of 2.5 cm surrounded with a 0.5 cm thick graphite layer) and burnable poison particles (BPPs) containing B 4 C made of pure 10 B or containing Gd 2 O 3 made of natural Gd. Two types of fuel were considered: UO 2 fuel made of 8% enriched uranium and PuO 2 fuel made of plutonium from LWR spent fuel. The radius of the BPP and the number of particles per fuel pebble were varied to find the flattest reactivity-to-time curve. For the UO 2 fuel, the reactivity swing is lowest (around 2%) for BPPs made of B 4 C with radius of 75 μm. In this case around 1070 BPPs per fuel pebble are needed. For the PuO 2 fuel to get a reactivity swing below 4%, the optimal radius of the BPP is the same, but the number of particles per fuel pebble should be around 1600. The optimal radius of the Gd 2 O 3 particles in the UO 2 fuel is about 10 times that of the B 4 C particles. The reactivity swing is around 3% when each fuel pebble contains only 9 BPPs with radius of 840 μm. The results of the Gd particles illustrate nicely the usage of black burnable poison particles introduced by Van Dam [Ann. Nuclear Energy 27 (2000) 733

Sensitivity and uncertainty analysis for UO2 and MOX fueled PWR cells

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Foad, Basma; Takeda, Toshikazu

2015-01-01

Highlights: • A method for calculating sensitivity coefficients has been improved. • The IR approximation was used in order to get accurate results. • Sensitivities and uncertainties are calculated using the improved method. • The method is applied for UO 2 and MOX fueled PWR cells. • The verification was performed by comparing our results with MCNP6 and TSUNAMI-1D. - Abstract: This paper discusses the improvement of a method for calculating sensitivity coefficients of neutronics parameters relative to infinite dilution cross-sections because the conventional method neglects resonance self-shielding effect. In this study, the self-shielding effect is taken into account by using the intermediate resonance approximation in order to get accurate results in both high and low energy groups. The improved method is applied to calculate sensitivity coefficients and uncertainties of eigenvalue responses for UO 2 and MOX (ThO 2 –UO 2 and PuO 2 –UO 2 ) fueled pressurized water reactor cells. The verification of the improved method was performed by comparing the sensitivities with MCNP6 and TSUNAMI-1D. For uncertainty, calculation comparisons were done with TSUNAMI-1D, and we demonstrate that the differences are caused by the use of different covariance matrices

Irradiation of UO2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Stevanovic, M.

1965-10-01

Based on the review of the available literature concerned with UO 2 irradiation, this paper describes and explains the phenomena initiated by irradiation of the UO 2 fuel in a reactor dependent on the burnup level and temperature. A comprehensive review of UO 2 radiation damage studies is given as a broad research program. This part includes the abilities of our reactor as well as needed elements for such study. The third part includes the definitions of the specific power, burnup level and temperature in the center of the fuel element needed for planning and performing the irradiation. Methods for calculating these parameters are included [sr

An Overview of Current and Past W-UO[2] CERMET Fuel Fabrication Technology

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Douglas E. Burkes; Daniel M. Wachs; James E. Werner; Steven D. Howe

2007-01-01

Studies dating back to the late 1940s performed by a number of different organizations and laboratories have established the major advantages of Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) systems, particularly for manned missions. A number of NTP projects have been initiated since this time; none have had any sustained fuel development work that appreciably contributed to fuel fabrication or performance data from this era. As interest in these missions returns and previous space nuclear power researchers begin to retire, fuel fabrication technologies must be revisited, so that established technologies can be transferred to young researchers seamlessly and updated, more advanced processes can be employed to develop successful NTP fuels. CERMET fuels, specifically W-UO2, are of particular interest to the next generation NTP plans since these fuels have shown significant advantages over other fuel types, such as relatively high burnup, no significant failures under severe transient conditions, capability of accommodating a large fission product inventory during irradiation and compatibility with flowing hot hydrogen. Examples of previous fabrication routes involved with CERMET fuels include hot isostatic pressing (HIPing) and press and sinter, whereas newer technologies, such as spark plasma sintering, combustion synthesis and microsphere fabrication might be well suited to produce high quality, effective fuel elements. These advanced technologies may address common issues with CERMET fuels, such as grain growth, ductile to brittle transition temperature and UO2 stoichiometry, more effectively than the commonly accepted 'traditional' fabrication routes. Bonding of fuel elements, especially if the fabrication process demands production of smaller element segments, must be investigated. Advanced brazing techniques and compounds are now available that could produce a higher quality bond segment with increased ease in joining. This paper will briefly address the history of CERMET

Interim results from UO2 fuel oxidation tests in air

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Campbell, T.K.; Gilbert, E.R.; Thornhill, C.K.; White, G.D.; Piepel, G.F.; Griffin, C.W.j.

1987-08-01

An experimental program is being conducted at Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) to extend the characterization of spent fuel oxidation in air. To characterize oxidation behavior of irradiated UO 2 , fuel oxidation tests were performed on declad light-water reactor spent fuel and nonirradited UO 2 pellets in the temperature range of 135 to 250 0 C. These tests were designed to determine the important independent variables that might affect spent fuel oxidation behavior. The data from this program, when combined with the test results from other programs, will be used to develop recommended spent fuel dry-storage temperature limits in air. This report describes interim test results. The initial PNL investigations of nonirradiated and spent fuels identified the important testing variables as temperature, fuel burnup, radiolysis of the air, fuel microstructure, and moisture in the air. Based on these initial results, a more extensive statistically designed test matrix was developed to study the effects of temperature, burnup, and moisture on the oxidation behavior of spent fuel. Oxidation tests were initiated using both boiling-water reactor and pressurized-water reactor fuels from several different reactors with burnups from 8 to 34 GWd/MTU. A 10 5 R/h gamma field was applied to the test ovens to simulate dry storage cask conditions. Nonirradiated fuel was included as a control. This report describes experimental results from the initial tests on both the spent and nonirradiated fuels and results to date on the tests in a 10 5 R/h gamma field. 33 refs., 51 figs., 6 tabs

A microstructure-dependent model for fission product gas release and swelling in UO2 fuel

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Notley, M.J.F.; Hastings, I.J.

1979-06-01

A model for the release of fission gas from irradiated UO2 fuel is presented. It incorporates fission gas diffusion bubble and grain boundary movement,intergranular bubble formation and interlinkage. In addition, the model allows estimates of the extent of structural change and fuel swelling. In the latter, contributions of thermal expansion, densification, solid fission products, and gas bubbles are considered. When included in the ELESIM fuel performance code, the model yields predictions which are in good agreement with data from UO2 fuel elements irradiated over a range of water-cooled reactor conditions: linear power outputs between 40 and 120 kW/m, burnups between 10 and 300 MW.h/kg U and power histories including constant, high-to-low and low-to-high power periods. The predictions of the model are shown to be most sensitive to fuel power (temperature), the selection of diffusion coefficient for fission gas in UO2 and burnup. The predictions are less sensitive to variables such as fuel restraint, initial grain size and the rate of grain growth. (author)

Fission gas release and grain growth in THO2-UO2 fuel irradiated at high temperature

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Goldberg, I.; Waldman, L.A.; Giovengo, J.F.; Campbell, W.R.

1979-01-01

Data are presented on fission gas release and grain growth in ThO 2 -UO 2 fuels irradiated as part of the LWBR fuel element development program. These data for rods that experienced peak linear power outputs ranging from 15 to 22 KW/ft supplement fission gas release data previously reported for 51 rods containing ThO 2 and ThO 2 -UO 2 fuel irradiated at peak linear powers predominantly below 14 KW/ft. Fission gas release was relatively high (up to 15.0 percent) for the rods operated at high power in contrast to the relatively low fission gas release (0.1 to 5.2 percent) measured for the rods operated at lower power. Metallographic examination revealed extensive equiaxed grain growth in the fuel at the high power axial locations of the three rods

Model development of UO_2-Zr dispersion plate-type fuel behavior at early phase of severe accident and molten fuel meat relocation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zhang Zhuohua; Yu Junchong; Peng Shinian

2014-01-01

According to former study on oxygen diffusion, Nb-Zr solid reaction and UO_2-Zr solid reaction, the models of oxidation, solid reaction in fuel meat and relocation of molten fuel meat are developed based on structure and material properties of UO_2-Zr dispersion plate-type fuel, The new models can supply theoretical elements for the safety analysis of the core assembled with dispersion plate-type fuel under severe accident. (authors)

Thermal diffusivity measurements between 0 0C and 2000 0C: application to UO2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Van Craeynest, J.C.; Weilbacher, J.C.; Lallement, R.

1969-01-01

We have built two types of apparatus to measure the thermal diffusivity of ceramic fuels. The first apparatus, based on Angstrom's method, operates between 0 deg. C and 1000 deg. C. Satisfactory results have been obtained for iron, nickel and molybdenum. The other apparatus, based on Cowan's method, operates between 1000 deg. C and 2000 deg. C on thin slabs. The thermal conductivity of UO 2 has been measured from 0 deg. C to 2000 deg. C. There is a good agreement between our results and the well known values for UO 2 . (authors) [fr

Examination of the creep behaviour of ceramic fuel elements under neutron irradiation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Brucklacher, D.

1978-01-01

This paper examines the creeping of UO 2 , UO 2 -PuO 2 and UN under neutron irradiation. It starts with the experimental results about the relation between the thermal creep rate and the load, the temperature, as well as characteristic material values, stoichiometry, grain size and porosity. These correlation are first qualitatively discussed and then compared with the statements of actual quantitative equations. From the models and theories on which these equations are based a modified Nabarro-Heering-equation results for the correlation between the creep rate of ceramic fuels, stress, temperature and the fission rate. In the experimental part of the examination, length-changes of creep samples of UO 2 , (U,Pu)O 2 and UN were measured in specially developed irradiation creep casings in different reactors. The measuring data were corrected and evaluated considering the thermal expansion effects, irregular temperature distribution and swelling effects in such a way that the dependences of the creep rate of UO 2 , UO 2 -PuO 2 and UN under irradiation on stress, temperature, fission rate, burn-up and porosity is obtained. It shows that creeping of fuels under irradiation at high temperatures is equivalent to thermally activated creeping, while at low temperature the creep rate induced by irradiation is much higher than the condition without irradiation. The increment of oxidic nuclear fuels is greater than in UN, the stress dependence on low burn-up is proportional in both cases, and the influence of temperature is quite small. (orig.) [de

Simulated UO{sub 2} fuel containing CsI by spark plasma sintering

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wangle, T. [European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU), Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe (Germany); Czech Technical University in Prague, Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Břehová 7, Praha 1, 115 19 (Czech Republic); Tyrpekl, V. [European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU), Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe (Germany); Cologna, M., E-mail: marco.cologna@ec.europa.eu [European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU), Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe (Germany); Somers, J. [European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU), Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe (Germany)

2015-11-15

Herein, an innovative preparation procedure has been deployed enabling, for the first time, the incorporation of volatile fission product simulant into highly dense nuclear fuel pellets. Highly volatile fission products were embedded in a dense UO{sub 2} matrix in the form of CsI by simply mixing starting materials and consolidation in a Spark Plasma Sintering step at 1000 °C with a 5 min dwell time. CsI particles were evenly distributed throughout the pellet and were located at the grain boundaries. The sintering rate is dependent on the O/U ratio of the powder. Addition of CsI also acts as a sintering aid, reducing the temperature of maximum densification. - Highlights: • A new method was developed to incorporation of volatile fission products simulants into dense nuclear fuel pellets. • CsI doped UO{sub 2} pellets were synthetized for the first time, by Spark Plasma Sintering. • The sintering rate in Spark Plasma Sintering is dependent on the O/U ratio of UO{sub 2+x}.

Influence of environment on the alteration of the UO2 matrix of spent fuel in storage condition

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gaulard, C.

2012-01-01

Within the framework of the geological disposal of spent nuclear fuel, research on the long term behavior of spent fuel is undertaken and in particular the study of mechanisms of UO 2 oxidation and dissolution in water-saturated host rock. Under the law program on the sustainable management of radioactive materials and waste of June 28, 2006, France was chose as the reference solution the retreatment of spent fuel and disposal in deep geological repository of vitrified final waste. Nevertheless, studies on a direct disposal of spent fuel will continue for safety. The disposal concept provides for conditioning spent fuel in a steel container whose seal is guaranteed for a period specified in the order of 10,000 years. It is also reasonable to assume that the groundwater comes into contact with the fuel after the deterioration of container and lead to the UO 2 matrix degradation and the release of radionuclides. The oxidation/dissolution of UO 2 has been studied by means electrochemical methods coupled to XPS and ICP-MS measurements.A thermodynamic and bibliographic study of U(VI)/UO 2 (s) system allowed to show the effect of the physical and chemical conditions of the solution on the system, and to show the different mechanisms proposed to describe the oxidation and the dissolution of the uranium dioxide in different media (non-complexing, carbonate and clay). The study of the oxidation/dissolution of UO 2 in acidic and non-complexing media (0.1 mol/L NaCF 3 SO 3 , pH = 3), where UO 2 2+ /UO 2 (s) predominates and the formation of precipitates is limited or even avoided, showed a mechanism with two electrochemical steps and a model characteristic of UO 2 oxidation in acidic non-complexing media. Then, the study in neutral non-complexing media (0.05 mol/L NaCl, pH = 7.5) showed a mechanism with two electrochemical steps and one chemical step (EEC) in which both electrochemical steps are similar to those proposed in acidic media. Finally, a first approach of the UO 2

Determination of the cationic self-diffusion coefficient in ThO2-5%UO2 nuclear fuel

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sabioni, A.C.S.

1984-01-01

The cation self-diffusion coefficient for the ThO 2 -5%UO 2 by means of the densification model developed by Assmann and Stehle was determined. The experimental data of the fuel densification, used in the calculations, were obtained from thermal resinter tests. Our result is comparable to previously published values for U and Th diffusion in polycrystalline ThO 2 and (Th, U)O 2 . (Author) [pt

BURNY-SQUID, 2-D Burnup of UO2 and Mix UO2 PuO2 Fuel in X-Y or R-Z Geometry

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rosa, I.; Zara, G.; Guidotti, R.

1974-01-01

1 - Nature of physical problem solved: - Multigroup neutron diffusion and burnup equations for two- to five- energy groups over a rectangular region of the x-y or r-z plane. - For a given geometry and initial enrichment, it calculates the two- to five- group flux distributions, the nuclides burnt in a time step t, and then the flux distribution again. This process is repeated until the maximum burn-up is reached. - Criticality search by uniform variation of a control isotope. - Solution of problems with fuel having different geometrical parameters, by means of super-compositions. - Recycle and restart options are available. - UO 2 and PUO 2 -UO 2 fuel can be handled. 2 - Method of solution: The zero-dimension burn-up program RIBOT-5 is coupled with the two-dimension program SQUID and alternately executed. The differential equations are solved by the difference method. 3 - Restrictions on the complexity of the problem: 200 maximum number of compositions 10,000 maximum number of mesh points 5 maximum Number of groups. 4 maximum number of super-compositions. Diagonal symmetry allowed

Inspection of the UO2 special fuel for the prototype heavy water reactor 'FUGEN'

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Miura, Makoto; Ohmori, Takuro; Yoshino, Hiroyuki; Matsui, Hiromasa; Hirosawa, Naonori

1979-01-01

UO 2 special fuel assemblies are the fuel for material irradiation incorporating irradiation specimens, for the prototype heavy water reactor ''FUGEN''. In order to monitor the behavior of the pressure tube material irradiated with neutrons for long time, monitoring specimens were equipped in the core. This special fuel was fabricated by the Nuclear Fuel Industries, Ltd. (NFI), and the fuel cladding tubes, the capsule guide tubes and the capsule tubes were furnished by PNC. The irradiation specimens were prepared by PNC, and incorporated into the assemblies by NFI. The inspection by PNC on the special fuel assemblies was conducted following the inspection by the maker, which was made on UO 2 pellets, fuel element and assembly parts except cladding tubes, after completing the fabrication. The specifications of the special fuel, especially for the outer and inner layer pellets, the outer and inner layer fuel elements and the fuel assemblies, are presented. The flow sheet for the inspection process and surveillance test of special fuel assemblies is illustrated. The inspection items, the materials and the quantity inspection are tabulated for the fuel elements, the fuel assemblies and the irradiation capsules, respectively. The structure of a special type fuel assembly is shown. For each inspection, the inspection methods and items and the results are explained. As for the results of inspection of the special fuel, the UO 2 pellets, fuel element parts, fuel elements, fuel assembly parts, fuel assemblies, capsules and irradiation specimens were in accordance with the specifications. Regarding the situation of the quality control in the processes, check was made with many documents, and it was recognized that the quality control was performed in the quality assurance program. (Nakai, Y.)

Recycling of nuclear fuel swarf at the fabrication of UO sub(2)-pellets and its influence on the irradiation behavior

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Dias, M.S.; Lameiras, F.S.; Santos, A.M.M. dos

1991-01-01

From the fabrication of UO sub(2) pellets for light water reactor fuel rods, nuclear fuel scraps results in form of UO sub(2) grinding swarf and UO sub(2) sinter scraps oxidized to U sub(3)O sub(8) powder. Detailed investigations on five types of UO sub(2) pellets fabricated with different portions of this scrap kinds added to the UO sub(2) press powder showed that there is only a small influence of such scrap additions on the irradiation behavior, especially for the fission gas release. This allows to recycle the fabrication scrap in a simple and economic way. (author)

Fully coupled multiphysics modeling of enhanced thermal conductivity UO{sub 2}–BeO fuel performance in a light water reactor

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Liu, R. [Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong (China); Zhou, W., E-mail: wenzzhou@cityu.edu.hk [Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong (China); Shen, P. [Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong (China); Prudil, A. [Fuel and Fuel Channel Safety Branch, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, Chalk River, Ontario (Canada); Chan, P.K. [Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, Ontario (Canada)

2015-12-15

Highlights: • LWR fuel performance modeling capability developed. • Fully coupled multiphysics studies for enhanced thermal conductivity UO{sub 2}–BeO fuel. • UO{sub 2}–BeO fuel decreases fuel temperature and lessens thermal stresses. • UO{sub 2}–BeO fuel facilitates a reduction in PCMI. • Reactor safety can be improved for UO{sub 2}–BeO fuel. - Abstract: Commercial light water reactor fuel UO{sub 2} has a low thermal conductivity that leads to the development of a large temperature gradient across the fuel pellet, limiting the reactor operational performance due to the effects that include thermal stresses causing pellet cladding interaction and the release of fission product gases. This study presents the development of a modeling and simulation for enhanced thermal conductivity UO{sub 2}–BeO fuel behavior in a light water reactor, using self-defined multiple physics models fully coupled based on the framework of COMSOL Multiphysics. Almost all the related physical models are considered, including heat generation and conduction, species diffusion, thermomechanics (thermal expansion, elastic strain, densification, and fission product swelling strain), grain growth, fission gas production and release, gap heat transfer, mechanical contact, gap/plenum pressure with plenum volume, cladding thermal and irradiation creep and oxidation. All the phenomenal models and materials properties are implemented into COMSOL Multiphysics finite-element platform with a 2D axisymmetric geometry of a fuel pellet and cladding. UO{sub 2}–BeO enhanced thermal conductivity nuclear fuel would decrease fuel temperatures and facilitate a reduction in pellet cladding interaction from our simulation results through lessening thermal stresses that result in fuel cracking, relocation, and swelling, so that the safety of the reactor would be improved.

On the correlation between fuel structure and mechanical properties of UO2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Blank, H.; Mandler, R.; Matzke, H.; Routbort, J.; Werner, P.

1983-01-01

The relation between the structure of a UO 2 fuel and its mechanical properties are discussed and illustrated for particular types of UO 2 by measurements of fracture surface energy, hardness, fracture stress and compressive deformation at 1870 and 1970 K. This gives the background for treating the question whether it is possible to find a simple experimental method for correlating the mechanical properties of UO 2 before irradiation with those after various irradiation histories. Hardness measurements might be such a method if combined with a detailed structural analysis and sufficient knowledge about the irradiation history. However, for a meaningful interpretation of the data the presently available 'classical' methods of fracture mechanics are inadequate and, furthermore, sufficient additional (not yet available) information on the relations between mechanical properties and structural details are required. (author)

Dissolution of UO2 in redox conditions

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Casas, I.; Pablo de, J.; Rovira, M.

1998-01-01

The performance assessment of the final disposal of the spent nuclear fuel in geological formations is strongly dependent on the spent fuel matrix dissolution. Unirradiated uranium (IV) dioxide has shown to be very useful for such purposes. The stability of UO 2 is very dependent on vault redox conditions. At reducing conditions, which are expected in deep groundwaters, the dissolution of the UO 2 -matrix can be explained in terms of solubility, while under oxidizing conditions, the UO 2 is thermodynamically unstable and the dissolution is kinetically controlled. In this report the parameters which affect the uranium solubility under reducing conditions, basically pH and redox potential are discussed. Under oxidizing conditions, UO 2 dissolution rate equations as a function of pH, carbonate concentration and oxidant concentration are reported. Dissolution experiments performed with spent fuel are also reviewed. The experimental equations presented in this work, have been used to model independent dissolution experiments performed with both unirradiated and irradiated UO 2 . (Author)

Heat conductance of sintered UO{sub 2}; Toplotna provodljivost sinterovanog UO{sub 2}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Katanic-Popovic, J; Stevanovic, M [Institute of Nuclear Sciences Boris Kidric, Vinca, Beograd (Yugoslavia)

1966-11-15

Phenomena influencing the heat conductance of the sintered UO{sub 2} were analyzed, first of all when used as nuclear fuel. Influence of temperature, density and porosity, additives and irradiation in the reactor are shown. Based on the available literature, the measured heat conductance values were analyzed for the sintered UO{sub 2} outside the reactor and in the reactor during irradiation. Analizirane su pojave koje uticu na toplotnu provodljivost sinterovanog UO{sub 2}, pre svega, sa aspekta njegove primene kao goriva. Izlozen je uticaj temperature, gustine i poroznosti, aditiva i ozracivanja u reaktoru. Na osnovu pregleda dostupne literature kriticki su prikazani rezultati merenja toplotne provodljivosti sinterovanog UO{sub 2} van reaktora i u reaktoru pri ozracivanju (author)

Contribution to the identification and the evaluation of a doped UO2 fuel with controlled oxygen potential

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Pennisi, Vanessa

2015-01-01

Temperature and oxygen partial pressure (PO 2 ) of nuclear oxide fuels are the main parameters governing both their thermochemical evolution in reactor and the speciation of volatile fission products such as Cs, I or Te. An innovative way to limit the risk of cladding rupture by corrosion under irradiation consists in buffering the oxygen partial pressure of the fuel under operation in a PO 2 domain where the fission gas are harmless towards Zr clad, by using solid redox buffers as additives. Niobium, with its NbO 2 /NbO and Nb 2 O 5 /NbO 2 redox couples has been found to be a promising candidate to this end. A manufacturing process of a buffered UO 2 fuel, doped with niobium has been optimized, in order to fulfill usual specifications (density, microstructure). The experimental study of the UO 2 -NbO x system has shown the existence of a liquid phase between UO 2 and NbO x at 810 C, which was not reported in the literature. The characterization of Nb containing phases present in UO 2 both in solid solution and as precipitates has lead us to propose a solubility thermodynamic model of niobium in UO 2 at 1700 C. An extensive study of the niobium precipitates shows the co-existence in the fuel of NbO 2 and NbO as major phases, together with small amounts of metallic Nb. The coexistence of niobium under two oxidation states inside the fuel is a key element of demonstration of a possible in-situ buffering effect, which is likely to impact some properties of the material that are dependent upon PO 2 , such as densification. These results confirm the promising potential of oxygen buffered fuels as regard to their performance in reactor. (author) [fr

Finite element analysis of local overheating within plutonium enriched UO2 fuel rods caused by PuO2 islands

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sarmiento, G.S.

1980-01-01

Within natural UO 2 fuel elements enriched with plutonium, this last material should form PuO 2 solid solutions inside the UO 2 pellets, in a wide range of concentrations. If the solutions are obtained by mechanical mixing of the oxides, PuO 2 islands are formed in the UO 2 matrix. These islands may be the source of several problems in the fuel behaviour, the most important being the overheating of the matrix in the neighbourhood of the particles. It is caused by the large fission cross section of plutonium compared with that of uranium. A detailed study of the thermal effects produced by PuO 2 particles in the UO 2 matrix and the cladding is then important for the specification of their permissible size. A portion of the fuel rods with spherical particles in the most significant places was studied. In order to obtain the dimensionless overheating of the fuel and cladding produced by the presence of those particles, the spatial distribution of temperature was calculated, solving the stationary and linear bidimensional equation of heat conducting using a finite element code. Several geometrical variables and material properties have been taken as dimensionless parameters. A satisfactory convergence of the numerical results to an asymptotic limit with a well-known exact solution, has been obtained. (orig.)

UO2-PuO2 fuel pin capsule-irradiations of the test series FR 2-5a

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Dienst, W.; Goetzmann, O.; Schulz, B.

1975-06-01

In the capsule-irradiation test series FR 2-5a, short UO 2 -PuO 2 fuel pins (80 mm fuel length) of 7 mm diameter were irradiated in a thermal neutron flux at mean rod powers of 400 - 450 W/cm and mean cladding surface temperatures of 500 - 550 0 C to burnups of 0.6, 1.8 and 5.0 at% (U + Pu). Void volume redistribution in the fuel pins was examined in micrographs of cross-sections by measuring crack widths, central void diameters, and fuel porosity. The width of the radial cracks at the outer fuel rim was taken as a basis for measuring the irradiation-induced densification of the UO 2 -PuO 2 fuel. The result was that the final fuel density after irradiation-induced densification amounted to 92 - 94% TD and had already been reached after 0.6 at% burnup. The porosity measurement on fuel cross-sections was to show a possible dependence of the radial porosity redistribution on the initial sintered density. Examining the fuel pin diameters after irradiation showed permanent cladding strains after 5 at% burnup, which must be due to mechanical interaction with the fuel. To judge if the chemical compatibility between the fuel and the cladding of Cr-Ni-stainless steel 1.4988, the depths of chemical attack on the cladding inside was measured by micrographs of fuel pin cross-sections. (orig./GSC) [de

Spent-fuel special-studies progress report: probable mechanisms for oxidation and dissolution of single-crystal UO2 surfaces

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wang, R.

1981-03-01

Due to the complexity of the structural, microstructural and compositional characteristics of spent fuel, basic leaching and dissolution mechanisms were studied with UO 2 matrix material, specifically with single-crystal UO 2 , to isolate individual contributory factors. The effects of oxidation and oxidation-dissolution were investigated in different oxidation conditions, such as in air, oxygenated solutions and deionized water containing H 2 O 2 . In addition, the effects of temperature on dissolution of UO 2 were studied in autoclaves at 75 and 150 0 C. Also, oxidation and dissolution measurements were investigated via electrochemical methods to determine if those techniques could be applied to the characterization of leaching and dissolution of spent fuel in a hot cell. Finally, the effects of radiation were explored since the radiolysis of water may create a localized oxidizing condition at or near the spent fuel-solution interface, even in neutral or reducing conditions as commonly found in deep geological environments. The oxidation and oxidation-dissolution mechanisms for UO 2 are proposed as follows: The UO 2 surface is first oxidized in solution to form a UO/sub 2+x/ surface layer several angstroms thick. This oxidized surface has a high dissolution rate since the UO/sub 2+x/ reacts with the dissolved O 2 , or H 2 O 2 , to form uranyl complex ions in a U(VI) state. As the uranyl ions exceed the solubility limits in solution, they become hydrolyzed to form solid deposits and suspended particles of UO 3 hydrates. The thickness and porosity of the deposited UO 3 hydrate surface-film is dependent on temperature, pH and deposition time. A long-term dissolution rate is then determined by the nature of the surface film, such as porosity, solubility and mechanical properties

Testing of HTR UO{sub 2} TRISO fuels in AVR and in material test reactors

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kania, Michael J., E-mail: MichaelJKania@googlemail.com [Retired from Lockheed Martin Corp, 20 Beach Road, Averill Park, NY 12018 (United States); Nabielek, Heinz, E-mail: heinznabielek@me.com [Retired from Research Center Jülich, Monschauerstrasse 61, 52355 Düren (Germany); Verfondern, Karl [Research Center Juelich,Research Center Jülich, Institute of Energy and Climate Research, 52425 Jülich (Germany); Allelein, Hans-Josef [Research Center Juelich,Research Center Jülich, Institute of Energy and Climate Research, 52425 Jülich (Germany); RWTH Aachen, 52072 Aachen (Germany)

2013-10-15

The German High Temperature Reactor Fuel Development Program successfully developed, licensed and manufactured many thousands of spherical fuel elements that were used to power the experimental AVR reactor and the commercial THTR reactor. In the 1970s, this program extended the performance envelope of HTR fuels by developing and qualifying the TRISO-coated particle system. Irradiation testing in real-time AVR tests and accelerated MTR tests demonstrated the superior manufacturing process of this fuel and its irradiation performance. In the 1980s, another program direction change was made to a low enriched UO{sub 2} TRISO-coated particle system coupled with high-quality manufacturing specifications designed to meet new HTR plant design needs. These needs included requirements for inherent safety under normal operation and accident conditions. Again, the German fuel development program met and exceeded these challenges by manufacturing and qualifying the low-enriched UO{sub 2} TRISO-fuel system for HTR systems with steam generation, gas-turbine systems and very high temperature process heat applications. Fuel elements were manufactured in production scale facilities that contained near defect free UO{sub 2} TRISO coated particles, homogeneously distributed within a graphite matrix with very low levels of uranium contamination. Good irradiation performance for these elements was demonstrated under normal operating conditions to 12% FIMA and under accident conditions not exceeding 1600 °C.

Fabrication of fully ceramic microencapsulated fuel by hot pressing

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lee, H. G.; Kim, D. J; Park, J. Y.; Kim, W. J.; Lee, S. J

2014-01-01

Fully ceramic microencapsulated(FCM) nuclear fuel is one of the recently suggested concept to enhance stability nuclear fuel itself. The requirements to increase the accident tolerance of nuclear fuel are mainly two parts: First, the performance has to be maintained compared to the existing UO 2 nuclear fuel and zircaloy cladding system under the normal operation condition. Second, under the severe accident condition, the high temperature structural integrity has to be kept and the generation rate of hydrogen has to be decrease largely. FCM nuclear fuel consists of tristructural isotropic(TRISO) fuel particle and SiC matrix. The relative thermal conductivity of the SiC matrix as compared to UO 2 is quite good, yielding as-irradiated fuel centerline temperature compared to high temperature for the existing fuel leading to reduced stored energy in the core and reduced operational release of fission products from the fuel. Generally SiC ceramics are fabricated via liquid phase sintering due to strong covalent bonding property and low self-diffusivity coefficient. Hot pressing is very effective method to conduct sintering of SiC powder including different second phase. In this study, SiC-matrix composite including TRISO particles were sintered by hot pressing with Al 2 O 3 -Y 2 O 3 additive system. Various sintering condition were investigated to obtain high relative density above 95%. The internal distribution of TRISO particles within SiC-matrix composite was observed by x-ray radiograph. From the analysis of the cross-section of SiC-matrix composite, the fracture of TRISO particles was investigated. In order to uniform distribution of TRISO particle embedded in the SiC matrix, SiC powder overcoating is considered. SiC matrix composite including TRISO was fabricated by hot pressing. FCM pallets with full density were obtained with Al 2 O 3 -Y 2 O 3 additive system. From the microstructure image, the effect of the sintering additive contents and sintering mechanism

An Optimization Study of LWR Fuel Assembly Design for TRU Burning using FCM and UO{sub 2}-ThO{sub 2} Fuel Pins

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hwang, Daehee; Hong, Ser Gi [Kyung Hee Univ., Yongin (Korea, Republic of)

2014-05-15

The objective of this work is to design optimized LWR fuel assemblies for the transmutation of TRU (transuranic) nuclides by using FCM (Fully Ceramic Micro-encapsulated) and UO{sub 2}-ThO{sub 2} fuel pins without degradation of safety-related parameters. In our study, the pin pitch (equivalently to P/D (Pitch-to-Diameter) ratio with a fixed fuel rod diameter) is used as a design parameter. The motivation is to make MTC (Moderator Temperature Coefficient) less negative at EOC because it was found that the small LWR core design in our previous work has a very strong MTC at EOC (∼-80pcm/K) which can lead to a large positive reactivity insertion under MSLB (Main Steam Line Break) accident and to a reduction of shutdown margin of the control rods. The basic idea is to increase moderator-to-fuel ratio such that the fuel assemblies have less negative MTC due to increase the moderation. The results show that a small increase of P/D ratio by 3.8% can give a considerably less negative MTC and an increase of TRU destruction rate without an increase of pin power peaking. In our study, a special emphasis is given on the effects of the increased P/D ratio for MTC. From the results, it was found that an increase of P/D ratio (we considered up to P/D=1.38) leads to a less negative MTC and a less negative FTC, an increase of TRU destruction rate, and a decrease of {sup 233}U production in UO{sub 2}-ThO{sub 2} pins. In particular, a small change of P/D ratio from 1.33 to 1.38 led to a change of MTC from - 75 pcm/.deg. C to -67 pcm/.deg. C at EOC, and a small increase of net TRU destruction rate from 26.4% to 28.3%. As conclusion, a small increase of P/D ratio is effective in obtaining the less negative MTC at EOC with a small increase of TRU destruction rate and without a significant degradation of FTC.

High 240Pu FTR/EMC experiments and analysis: Carbide fuel and UO2 blanket subassembly worths

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ombrellaro, P.A.

1977-06-01

Carbide-plutonium fuel and UO 2 blanket subassembly worth measurements performed at ANL in the EMC/LWR were analyzed. Composition exchange worth calculations were performed for: (a) the replacement of high- 240 Pu fuel composition for low- 240 Pu fuel composition and carbide-plutonium fuel composition, successively, in the center subassembly of the core; (b) the replacement of low- 240 Pu fuel composition for carbide--plutonium fuel composition in one outer driver subassembly; and (c) the replacement of the radial reflector composition with UO 2 blanket composition in one subassembly of the radial reflector. The composition exchange worth calculations were performed in two-dimensional x,y geometry, using diffusion theory and perturbation theory. Each method produces about the same calculated-to-experimental bias factors

Irradiation and study of irradiated full elements and sintered UO{sub 2} fuel; Ozracivanje i ispitivanje ozracenih gorivnih elemenata i goriva na bazi sinterovanog UO{sub 2}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Stevanovic, M [Institute of Nuclear Sciences Boris Kidric, Vinca, Beograd (Yugoslavia)

1966-11-15

This review contains the activities related to the development of UO{sub 2} fuel elements, based on study of the processes in the fuel. This work was done during development, irradiation and testing of certain type of fuel rods and fuel assemblies. A feasibility study for irradiation of fuel elements in our country or abroad was done by analysing the defined problem and our capabilities in this field. Izlozen je pregled potrebnih radova na ozracivanju vezanih za razvoj gorivnih elemenata sa UO{sub 2} gorivom, prikazan kroz rad na osnovnim usmerenim istrazivanjima procesa i pojave u gorivu, kroz razvoj odredjenog tipa gorivnih elemenata ozracivanjem i ispitivanjem ozracenih gorivnih sipki i sklopova gorivnih elemenata. Na osnovu tako postavljenog problema i nasih mogucnosti za rad na ovom polju izvrsena je analiza celishodnosti ozracivanja gorivnih elemenata (goriva) kod nas, odnosno u inostranstvu (author)

Achieving higher productivity of UO2 fuel at NUOFP through improved in-plant quality surveillance

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Meena, R.; Pramanik, D.; Sairam, S.; Rajkumar, J.V.; Rao, R.V.R.L.V.; Sinha, T.K.; Santra, N.; Rao, G.V.S.H.; Jayaraj, R.N.

2009-01-01

At Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC), in the production of UO 2 fuel for PHWRs, a standard set of process parameters are monitored regularly for every lot of powder and pellet. Quality of intermediate products in the production process like UNP, ADU(dry), U 3 O 8 , UO 2+x , UO 2 granules, green pellets, sintered pellets are also regularly analysed/monitored apart from the final finished pellet and ensured to be within specified range. This range is decided by final product specifications and sometimes also based on the feed requirement in the next process in the downstream of the flow sheet. Vast experience gained over the years, behavior of various equipment under given set of conditions, feed back from the customer plants etc; have been primary criteria hither to, for defining the process conditions and chemical/physical properties of intermediate products

Behaviour in air at 175-400 degrees C of irradiated UO2 fuel

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hastings, I.J.; McCracken, D.

1984-09-01

The authors extended their study of irradiated, defected UO 2 fuel elements to 200 and 400 degrees C. At 200 degrees C there was no diametral change, but at 400 degrees C we observed swelling and severe sheath splitting. Neither short-lived fission products, nor Cs-134, Cs-137 or Ru-106 above background, were detected. Maximum Kr-85 release was 4 Bq ( -6 Ci). Discharge time was 2.5 years. UO 2 fragment studies were extended to 400 degrees C. The oxidation process for unirradiated and irradiated fuel up to 300 degrees C was characterized by activation energies of 140 +- 10 and 120 +- 10 kJ/mol, respectively; enhancement of oxidation rate was confirmed in the irradiated samples. There is an apparent reduction of activation energy above about 300 degrees C. Fuel elements with artificial and natural defects showed similar oxidation and dimensional response at 250 degrees C. Behaviour of fuel fragments from the defect area of a naturally-defected element is consistent with that for fragments from intact elements when prior oxidation during the defect period is considered

Study of UO2-10WT%Gd2O3 fuel pellets obtained by seeding method using AUC co-precipitation and mechanical mixing processes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lima, M.M.F.; Ferraz, W.B.A.; Santos, M.M. dos; Pinto, L.C.M.; Santos, A.

2008-01-01

The use of gadolinium and uranium mixed oxide as a nuclear fuel aims to obtain a fuel with a performance better than that of UO 2 fuel. In this work, seeding method was used to improve ionic diffusivity during sintering to produce high density pellets containing coarse grains by co-precipitation and mechanical mixing processes. Sintered UO 2 -10 wt% Gd 2 O 3 pellets were obtained using the reference processes with 2 wt% and 5 wt% UO 2 seeds with two granulometries, less than 20 μm and between 20 and 38 μm. Characterisation was carried out by chemical analysis, surface area, X-ray diffraction, SEM, WDS, image analysis, and densitometry. The seeding method using mechanical mixing process was more effective than the co-precipitation method. Furthermore, mechanical mixing process resulted in an increase in density of UO 2 -10wt% Gd 2 O 3 with seeds in relation to that of UO 2 -10wt% Gd 2 O 3 without seeds. (author)

Thermal conductivity of the sintered UO{sub 2}; Toplotna provodljivost sinterovanog UO{sub 2}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Katanic-Popovic, J; Stevanovic, M [Institute of Nuclear Sciences Boris Kidric, Vinca, Beograd (Serbia and Montenegro)

1967-04-15

Phenomena influencing the thermal conductivity of the sintered UO{sub 2} fuel were analyzed. Influence of temperature, density and porosity, additives and irradiation in the reactor core are presented. Thermal conductivity of sintered UO{sub 2} was measured both outside the reactor and during the irradiation in the reactor. Results are discussed and analyzed based on the available literature. Analizirane su pojave koje uticu na toplotnu provodljivost sinterovanog UO{sub 2}, pre svega, sa aspekta njegove primene kao goriva. Izlozen je uticaj temperature, gustine i poroznosti, aditiva i ozracivanja u reaktoru. Na osnovu pregleda dostupne literature kriticki su prikazani rezultati merenja toplotne provodljivosti sinterovanog UO{sub 2} van reaktora i u reaktoru pri ozracivanju (author)

A comparison of processes for the conversion of uranyl nitrate into ceramic-grade UO/sub 2/

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Haas, P.A.

1988-01-01

The preferred processes for converting uranyl nitrate solutions into UO/sub 2/ for the fabrication of nuclear fuel pellets all involve the thermal decomposition of solid compounds into UO/sub 3/ without melting. Criteria for comparisons are given and used to compare eight conversion processes. Costs for the conversion processes are estimated to be 60 to 108% of the costs for the most commonly used ammonium diuranate precipitation/calcination process

Sintering densification of CaO–UO{sub 2}–Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3} nuclear fuel pellets

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wang, Yun [Fundamental Science on Radioactive Geology and Exploration Technology Laboratory, East China Institute of Technology, Nanchang, 330013, Jiangxi (China); Sun, Huidong [China Nucle Power Engineering Co., Ltd (China); Wang, Hui, E-mail: yinchanggeng5525@163.com [National Key Laboratory for Nuclear Fuel and Materials, Nuclear Power Institute of China, Chengdu, 610041 (China); Pan, Xiaoqiang; Li, Tongye; Liu, Jinhong; Zhang, Yong; Wang, Xinjie [National Key Laboratory for Nuclear Fuel and Materials, Nuclear Power Institute of China, Chengdu, 610041 (China)

2015-10-15

CaO-doped UO{sub 2}-10 wt% Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3} burnable poison fuel was prepared by co-precipitation reaction method. It was found that 0.3 wt% CaO-doping significantly improved the sintered density, grain sizes and crushing strength of UO{sub 2}–Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3} fuel pellets at the sintering temperature of 1650 °C in the sintering atmosphere of hydrogen for 3.5 h. In addition, homogeneous solid solution without precipitation of free phases of CaO and Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3} was successfully achieved. CaO doping in UO{sub 2}–Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3} fuel pellet system accelerated the thermally activated material transport, so the onset temperature of densification as well as the temperature of the maximum densification rate shifted to a lower temperature region. - Highlights: • A small amount of 0.3% doped CaO{sub 2} can significantly improve the sintered density. • Homogeneous solid solution forms without precipitation of free phases. • The pellet has good density, high strength and increasing grain sizes with homogeneity. • The pellet accelerates a thermally activated material transport.

Influence of radiolysis on UO2 fuel matrix dissolution under disposal conditions. Literature Study

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ollila, K.

2011-05-01

The objective of this study was to examine the recent published literature on the influence of water radiolysis on UO 2 fuel matrix dissolution under the disposal conditions. The α radiation is considered to be dominating over the other types of radiations at times longer than 1000 years. The presence of the anaerobic corrosion products of iron, especially of hydrogen, has been observed to play an important role under radiolysis conditions. It is not possible to exclude gamma/beta radiolysis effects in the experiments with spent fuel, since there is not available a fuel over 100 years old. More direct measurements of α radiolysis effects have been conducted with α doped UO 2 materials. On the basis of the results of these experiments, a specific activity threshold to observe α radiolysis effects has been presented. The threshold is 1.8 x 10 7 to 3.3 x 10 7 Bq/g in anoxic 10 -3 M carbonate solution. It is dependent on the environmental conditions, such as the reducing buffer capacity of the conditions. The results of dissolution rate measurements at VTT with 233 U-doped UO 2 samples in 0.01 to 0.1 M NaCl solutions under anoxic conditions did not show any effect of α radiolysis with doping levels of 5 and 10% 233 U (3.2 x 10 7 and 6.3 x 10 7 Bq/g). Both Fe 2+ and hydrogen can act as reducing species and could react with oxidizing radiolytic species. Fe 2+ concentrations of the order of 10 -5 M can decrease the rate of H 2 O 2 production. Low dissolution rates, 2 x 10 -8 to 2 x 10 -7 /yr, have been measured in the presence of metallic Fe with 5 and 10% 233 U-doped UO 2 in 0.01 to 1 M NaCl solutions. The tests with isotope dilution method showed precipitation phenomena of U to occur during dissolution process. The concentrations of dissolved U were extremely low (≤ 8.4 x 10 -11 M). No effects of -radiolysis could be seen. It is difficult to distinguish the effects of metallic Fe, Fe 2+ or hydrogen in these tests. Hydrogen could also act as a reducing agent

Cracking and relocation of UO2 fuel during nuclear operation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Appelhans, A.D.; Dagbjartsson, S.J.

1981-01-01

Cracking and relocation of light water reactor (LWR) fuel pellets affect the axial gas flow path within nuclear reactor fuel rods and the thermal performance of the fuel. As part of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Water Reactor Safety Research Fuel Behavior Program, the Thermal Fuels Behavior Program of EG and G Idaho, Inc., is conducting fuel rod behavior studies in the Heavy Boiling Water Reactor in Halden, Norway. The Instrumental Fuel Assembly-430 (IFA-430) operated in that facility is a multipurpose assembly designed to provide information on fuel cracking and relocation, the long-term thermal response of LWR fuel rods subjected to various internal pressures and gas compositions, and the release of fission gases. This report presents the results of an analysis of fuel cracking and relocation phenomena as deduced from fuel rod axial gas flow and fuel temperature data from the first 6.5 GWd/tUO 2 burnup of the IFA-430

Studies on the Sintering Behaviour of UO2-Gd2O3 Nuclear Fuel

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Durazzo, Michelangelo; Gracher Riella, Humberto

2008-01-01

The incorporation of gadolinium directly into nuclear power reactor fuel is important from the point of reactivity compensation and adjustment of power distribution enabling thus longer fuel cycles and optimized fuel utilization. The incorporation of Gd 2 O 3 powder directly into the UO 2 powder by dry mechanical blending is the most attractive process because of its simplicity. Nevertheless, processing by this method leads to difficulties while obtaining sintered pellets with the minimum required density. This is due to blockages during the sintering process. There is little information in published literature about the possible mechanism for this blockage and this is restricted to the hypothesis based on formation of a low diffusivity Gd rich (U,Gd)O 2 phase. Experimental evidences indicated the existence of phases in the (U,Gd)O 2 system with structure different from the fluorite type structure of UO 2 . The apparition of these new phases coincides with the lowering of the density after sintering and with the lowering of the interdiffusion coefficient. However, it has been shown experimentally that the sintering blockage phenomena cannot be explained on the basis of the formation of low diffusivity Gd rich (U,Gd)O 2 phases. The work was continued to investigate other possible blocking mechanism. (authors)

Study and optimization of the composite nuclear fuel with burnable poison UO2/Gd2O3

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Balestrieri, D.

1995-09-01

The studied composite ceramics is a nuclear fuel constituted of a uranium dioxide matrix UO 2 in which big grains (or 'macro-masses') of gadolinium oxide (Gd 2 O 3 ) of 300 ± 100 μm of diameter (mass fraction of 12%) are dispersed. Used as burnable poison (neutron absorbent whose action disappears progressively during the irradiation), gadolinium oxide is the object of a particular attention because some of its properties as the crystal structure, the aptitude to sintering and the thermomechanical behavior have been studied. The aim of this work is to perfect and optimize the process of manufacture of the composite in order to answer to accurate specifications for the density, the shape and the mass fraction of macro-masses. In this framework, it has been necessary to strengthen the Gd 2 O 3 macro-masses by a thermal treatment in order to avoid their deformation during the uniaxial pressing. The influence of this pre-consolidation on the ended microstructure, the aptitude to sintering and the thermal conductivity of the composite have been studied. (O.M.)

Performance of LMFBR fuel pins with (Pu,Th)O/sub 2-x/ and UO2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lawrence, L.A.

1983-09-01

The irradiation performance of (Pu,Th)O/sub 2-x/ and UO 2 fueled pins for breeder reactor application were compared to the extensive performance data base for the (U,Pu)O/sub 2-x/ fuel system. Th-Pu and 238 U- 233 U based fuel systems were candidate fuel fertile/fissile isotopic combinations for development of alternatives to the current LMFBR fuel cycle. Initial screening tests were conducted in the EBR-II to obtain comparative performance data because of the limited experience with these fuel systems. In some cases, 235 U was used as a substitute for 233 U because of the difficulties in fabrication of available 233 U due to its high gamma ray emission rate

Radiolytic modelling of spent fuel oxidative dissolution mechanism. Calibration against UO2 dynamic leaching experiments

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Merino, J.; Cera, E.; Bruno, J.; Quinones, J.; Casas, I.; Clarens, F.; Gimenez, J.; Pablo, J. de; Rovira, M.; Martinez-Esparza, A.

2005-01-01

Calibration and testing are inherent aspects of any modelling exercise and consequently they are key issues in developing a model for the oxidative dissolution of spent fuel. In the present work we present the outcome of the calibration process for the kinetic constants of a UO 2 oxidative dissolution mechanism developed for using in a radiolytic model. Experimental data obtained in dynamic leaching experiments of unirradiated UO 2 has been used for this purpose. The iterative calibration process has provided some insight into the detailed mechanism taking place in the alteration of UO 2 , particularly the role of · OH radicals and their interaction with the carbonate system. The results show that, although more simulations are needed for testing in different experimental systems, the calibrated oxidative dissolution mechanism could be included in radiolytic models to gain confidence in the prediction of the long-term alteration rate of the spent fuel under repository conditions

BURNY-SQUID, 2-D Burnup of UO{sub 2} and Mix UO{sub 2} PuO{sub 2} Fuel in X-Y or R-Z Geometry

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Rosa, I; Zara, G; Guidotti, R [ENEL-DCO, Via G.B. Martini, 3, 00198 Rome (Italy)

1974-08-01

1 - Nature of physical problem solved: - Multigroup neutron diffusion and burnup equations for two- to five- energy groups over a rectangular region of the x-y or r-z plane. - For a given geometry and initial enrichment, it calculates the two- to five- group flux distributions, the nuclides burnt in a time step t, and then the flux distribution again. This process is repeated until the maximum burn-up is reached. - Criticality search by uniform variation of a control isotope. - Solution of problems with fuel having different geometrical parameters, by means of super-compositions. - Recycle and restart options are available. - UO{sub 2} and PUO{sub 2}-UO{sub 2} fuel can be handled. 2 - Method of solution: The zero-dimension burn-up program RIBOT-5 is coupled with the two-dimension program SQUID and alternately executed. The differential equations are solved by the difference method. 3 - Restrictions on the complexity of the problem: 200 maximum number of compositions 10,000 maximum number of mesh points 5 maximum Number of groups. 4 maximum number of super-compositions. Diagonal symmetry allowed.

Thermal conductivity thermal diffusivity of UO{sub 2}-BeO nuclear fuel pellets

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mansur, Fábio A.; Camarano, Denise M.; Santos, Ana M. M.; Ferraz, Wilmar B.; Silva, Mayra A.; Ferreira, Ricardo A.N., E-mail: fam@cdtn.br, E-mail: dmc@cdtn.br, E-mail: amms@cdtn.br, E-mail: ferrazw@cdtn.br, E-mail: mayra.silva@cdtn.br, E-mail: ricardoanf@yahoo.com.br [Centro de Desenvolvimento da Tecnologia Nuclear (CDTN/CNEN-MG), Belo Horizonte, MG (Brazil)

2017-07-01

The temperature distribution in nuclear fuel pellets is of vital importance for the performance of the reactor, as it affects the heat transfer, the mechanical behavior and the release of fission gas during irradiation, reducing safety margins in possible accident scenarios. One of the main limitation for the current uranium dioxide nuclear fuel (UO{sub 2}) is its low thermal conductivity, responsible for the higher temperature of the pellet center and, consequently, for a higher radial temperature gradient. Thus, the addition of another material to increase the UO{sub 2} fuel thermal conductivity has been considered. Among the additives that are being investigated, beryllium oxide (BeO) has been chosen due to its high thermal conductivity, with potential to optimize power generation in pressurized light water reactors (PWR). In this work, UO{sub 2}-BeO pellets were obtained by the physical mixing of the powders with additions of 2wt% and 3wt% of BeO. The thermal diffusivity and conductivity of the pellets were determined from room temperature up to 500 °C. The results were normalized to 95% of the theoretical density (TD) of the pellets and varied according to the BeO content. The range of the values of thermal diffusivity and conductivity were 1.22 mm{sup 2}∙s{sup -1} to 3.69 mm{sup 2}∙s{sup -1} and 3.80 W∙m{sup -}'1∙K{sup -1} to 9.36 W∙m{sup -1}∙K{sup -1}, respectively. (author)

Physics of the fuel cycle. Evaluation of methods, uncertainties and estimation of the material balance for fuels UO{sub 2} and UO{sub 2}-PuO{sub 2}; Physique du cycle du combustible evaluation des methodes, incertitudes et estimation du bilan matiere pour les combustibles UO{sub 2} et UO{sub 2}-PuO{sub 2}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Monier, C

1997-09-01

The research works of this thesis are aimed to evaluate the methods and the associated uncertainties for the material balances estimation of the burn-up UO{sub 2} and MOX fuels which intervene in the fuel cycle physics. The studies carried out are used to qualify the cycle `package` DARWIN for the PWRs material balances estimation. The elaboration and optimisation of the calculation routes are carried out following a very specific methodology, aimed at estimating the bias introduced by the modelizations simplification by a comparison with almost exact reference modelizations. Depending on the precision goals and the informations, the permissible approximation will be determined. Two calculation routes have been developed and the qualified by applying them to the used fuels isotopic analysis interpretation: one `industry-oriented` calculation route which can calculate full UO{sub 2} assemblies material balances with a 2 % precision on the main actinides, respecting the industrial specifications. This route must run with a reasonable calculation time and stay user-friendly; one reference calculation route for the precise interpretation of fuel samples made of pieces of burn-up MOX rods. Aiming to provide material balances with the best possible precision, this route does not have the same specifications concerning its use and its calculation time performance. (author)

Phase relations in crystalline ceramic nuclear waste forms the system UO/sub 2 + x/-CeO2-ZrO2-ThO2 at 12000C in air

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Pepin, J.G.; McCarthy, G.J.

1981-01-01

Steady-state phase relations in the system UO/sub 2 + x/-CeO 2 -ZrO 2 -ThO 2 were determined for application to phase relations in the high-level crystalline ceramic nuclear waste form Supercalcine-Ceramics. Samples were treated at 1200 0 C at an oxygen partial pressure of 0.21 atm and a total pressure of 1 atm. Phase assemblages were found to be composed of cubic solid solutions of the flourite structure type, solid solutions based on ZrO 2 , and orthorhombic solid solutions based on U 3 O 8

The fabrication process of ceramic grade UO2 powder via fluorid system AUC and the treatment on AUC precipitation filtrate

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Liu Jinhong; Xu Kui; Li Zhiwan; Yi Wei; Tang Yueming; Li Guangrong; Lei Maolin; Cui Chuanjiang

2006-10-01

It is described about the technology of fabricating AUC powder by Circum-fluence Precipitation Reactor with Gas (CPRG) from UF 6 hydrolyzed liquid, manufacturing nuclear pure ceramic grade UO 2 powder via fluorid system AUC process with fluidized bed method, recovering U(VI) with ion exchange resin, depositing fluorin in an outflow of effusion wastewater from the ion exchange using calces. The primary control parameters on the fabricating AUC powder is study, it is discussed to character difference of AUC powder between fluorid system and nitrate. Result show that the composing the manufacture AUC powder is invariable by CORG, and that the AUC quality is consistent, and that by decomposition and reduction of AUC and stabilization of UO 2 powder with fluidized bed, through optimum technological parameters, the excellent UO 2 powder is obtained on the quality. (authors)

Chemical analyses and calculation of isotopic compositions of high-burnup UO{sub 2} fuels and MOX fuels

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Matsumura, Tetsuo; Sasahara, Akihiro [Central Research Inst. of Electric Power Industry, Tokyo (Japan)

2001-08-01

Chemical analysis activities of isotopic compositions of high-burnup UO{sub 2} fuels and MOX fuels in CRIEPI and calculation evaluation are reviewed briefly. C/E values of ORIGEN2, in which original libraries and JENDL-3.2 libraries are used, and other codes with chemical analysis data are reviewed and evaluated. Isotopic compositions of main U and Pu in fuels can be evaluated within 10% relative errors by suitable libraries and codes. Void ratio is effective parameter for C/E values in BWR fuels. JENDL-3.2 library shows remarkable improvement compared with original libraries in isotopic composition evaluations of FP nuclides. (author)

Dissolution of unirradiated UO2 fuel in synthetic groundwater. Final report (1996-1998)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ollila, K.

1999-05-01

This study was a part of the EU R and D programme 1994-1998: Nuclear Fission Safety, entitled 'Source term for performance assessment of spent fuel as a waste form'. The research carried out at VTT Chemical Technology was focused on the effects of granitic groundwater composition and redox conditions on UO 2 solubility and dissolution mechanisms. The synthetic groundwater compositions simulated deep granitic fresh and saline groundwaters, and the effects of the near-field material, bentonite, on very saline groundwater. Additionally, the Spanish granite/bentonite water was used. The redox conditions (Eh), which are obviously the most important factors that influence on UO 2 solubility under the disposal conditions of spent fuel, varied from strongly oxidising (air-saturated), anaerobic (N 2 , O 2 2 , low Eh). The objective of the air-saturated dissolution experiments was to yield the maximum solution concentrations of U, and information on the formation of secondary phases that control the concentrations, with different groundwater compositions. The static batch solubility experiments of long duration (up to 1-2 years) were performed using unirradiated UO 2 pellets and powder. Under anaerobic and reducing conditions, the solubilities were also approached from oversaturation. The results of the oxic, air-saturated dissolution experiments with UO 2 powder showed that the increase in the salinity ( -5 M, were at the level of the theoretical solubility of schoepite or another uranyl oxide hydrate, e.g. becquerelite (possibly Na-polyuranate). The higher alkalinity of the fresh (Allard) composition increased the aqueous U concentration. Only some kind of oxidised U-phase (U 3 O 8 -UO 3 ) was identified with XRD when studying possible secondary phases after the contact time of one year with all groundwater compositions. Longer contact times are needed to identify secondary phases predicted by modelling (EQ3/6). In the anoxic dissolution experiments with UO 2 pellets, the

Behaviour of short-lived iodines in operating UO2 fuel elements

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lipsett, J.J.; Hastings, I.J.; Hunt, C.E.L.

1984-11-01

Sweep gas experiments have been done to determine the behaviour of short-lived fission products within operating UO 2 fuel elements at linear powers of 45, 54, and 60 KW/m, and to burnups of 70, 80, and 50 MWh/kgU respectively. Although radioiodine transport was not observed directly during normal operation, equilibrium gap inventories for I-131 were deduced from the shutdown decay behaviour of the fission gases. These inventories were a strong function of fuel power and ranged from 10 GBq (0.27 Ci) to 100 GBq (2.7 Ci) over the range tested. We conclude that the iodine inventory was adsorbed onto the fuel and/or sheath surfaces with a volatile fraction of less than 10 -2 and a charcoal-filter-penetrating fraction of less than 2x10 -4

Oxidation and dissolution of UO{sub 2} in bicarbonate media: Implications for the spent nuclear fuel oxidative dissolution mechanism

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Gimenez, J. [Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, Diagonal 647, 08028 Barcelona (Spain)]. E-mail: francisco.javier.gimenez@upc.edu; Clarens, F. [Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, Diagonal 647, 08028 Barcelona (Spain); Casas, I. [Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, Diagonal 647, 08028 Barcelona (Spain); Rovira, M. [CTM Centre Tecnologic, Avda. Bases de Manresa 1. 08240 Manresa (Spain); Pablo, J. de [Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, Diagonal 647, 08028 Barcelona (Spain); Bruno, J. [Enresa-Enviros Environmental Science and Waste Management Chair, UPC, Jordi Girona 1-3 B2, 08034 Barcelona (Spain)

2005-10-15

The objective of this work is to study the UO{sub 2} oxidation by O{sub 2} and dissolution in bicarbonate media and to extrapolate the results obtained to improve the knowledge of the oxidative dissolution of spent nuclear fuel. The results obtained show that in the studied range the oxygen consumption rate is independent on the bicarbonate concentration while the UO{sub 2} dissolution rate does depend on. Besides, at 10{sup -4} mol dm{sup -3} bicarbonate concentration, the oxygen consumption rate is almost two orders of magnitude higher than the UO{sub 2} dissolution rate. These results suggest that at low bicarbonate concentration (<10{sup -2} mol dm{sup -3}) the alteration of the spent nuclear fuel cannot be directly derived from the measured uranium concentrations in solution. On the other hand, the study at low bicarbonate concentrations of the evolution of the UO{sub 2} surface at nanometric scale by means of the SFM technique shows that the difference between oxidation and dissolution rates is not due to the precipitation of a secondary solid phase on UO{sub 2}.

Molybdenum-UO2 cerment irradiation at 1145 K

Science.gov (United States)

Mcdonald, G.

1971-01-01

Two molybdenum-UO2 cermet fuel pins were fission heated in a helium-cooled loop at a temperature of 1145 K and to a total burnup of 5.3 % of the U-235. After irradiation the fuel pins were measured to check dimensional stability, punctured at the plenums to determine fission gas release, and examined metallographically to determine the effect of irradiation. Burnup was determined in several sections of the fuel pin. The results of the postirradiation examination indicated: (1) There was no visible change in the fuel pins on irradiation under the above conditions. (2) The maximum swelling of the fuel pins was less than 1%. (3) There was no migration of UO2 and no visible interaction between the molybdenum and the UO2. (4) Approximately 12% of the fission gas formed was released from the cermet cone into the gas plenum.

Simulation of the neutron-physical properties of the classical UO2 fuel and of MOX fuel during the burn-up by Transuranus

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Breza, J. jr.; Necas, V.; Daoeilek, P.

2005-01-01

The classical nuclear fuel UO 2 is well known for VVER reactors. Nevertheless, in the near future it will be possible to replace this fuel by novel, advanced kinds of fuel, for instance MOX, inert matrices fuel, etc., that will allow to increase the level of burn-up and minimize the amount of hazardous waste. The code Transuranus [2], designed at ITU Karlsruhe, is intended for thermal and mechanical analyses of fuel elements in nuclear reactors. We have utilized the code Transuranus to simulate the neutron-physical properties of the classical UO 2 fuel and of MOX fuel during the burn-up to a level of 40 MWd/kgHM. We compare obtained results of uranium and plutonium nuclides concentrations, their changes during burn-up, with results obtained by code HELIOS [3], which is well-validated code for this kind of applications. We performed calculations of fission gasses concentrations, namely xenon and krypton. (author)

Modeling fission gas release in high burnup ThO2-UO2 fuel

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Long, Y.; Yuan, Y.; Pilat, E.E.; Rim, C.S.; Kazimi, M.S.

2001-01-01

A preliminary fission gas release model to predict the performance of thoria fuel using the FRAPCON-3 computer code package has been formulated. The following modeling changes have been made in the code: - Radial power/burnup distribution; - Thermal conductivity and thermal expansion; - Rim porosity and fuel density; - Diffusion coefficient of fission gas in ThO 2 -UO 2 fuel and low temperature fission gas release model. Due to its lower epithermal resonance absorption, thoria fuel experiences a much flatter distribution of radial fissile products and radial power distribution during operation as compared to uranian fuel. The rim effect and its consequences in thoria fuel, therefore, are expected to occur only at relatively high burnup levels. The enhanced conductivity is evident for ThO 2 , but for a mixture the thermal conductivity enhancement is small. The lower thermal fuel expansion tends to negate these small advantages. With the modifications above, the new version of FRAPCON-3 matched the measured fission gas release data reasonably well using the ANS 5.4 fission gas release model. (authors)

Migration behavior of palladium in UO2, (3)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yoneyama, Mitsuru; Sato, Seichi; Ohashi, Hiroshi; Ogawa, Toru; Ito, Akinori; Fukuda, Kousaku.

1992-08-01

Palladium (Pd) is easily released from UO 2 kernels in HTGR coated fuel particles, and reacts with SiC coating layer. In addition, Pd is one of metallic fission products in irradiation UO 2 , which constitutes in dissoluble residue in reprocessing of LWR fuels. In the present investigation, the migration of palladium in UO 2 was examined by heating diffusion pairs sandwiched Pd foil between UO 2 wafers at 1300 ∼ 1800degC. Experiments were also carried out on affinity of Pd to UP 2 and a formation of U-Pd alloy. Pd was found mainly in the pores of UO 2 . The maximum depth intruded by Pd in fairly large amount was more than 100 μm for UO 2 with 90%TD and 50μm for UO 2 with 95%TD, while the maximum length of open pores was 330 μm for UO 2 with 90%TD, and 50 m for that with 95%TD. Fused Pd wetted UO 2 very much. Pd intruded deeply into UO 2 , especially in the edge of Pd droplet. Furthermore, U was detected either in precipitates or the Pd source with α-Pd phase of U-Pd alloy containing Pd at about 10at%. This fact indicates that Pd highly reacts with UO 2 . From the above results, the transport of Pd in UO 2 was explained by the model of gaseous diffusion through pores in UO 2 , which is retarded by formation of U-Pd alloy. It is also indicated that UPd 3 forms even at the oxygen potential condition of O/U ratio, which is a little higher than 2.00 on the basis of thermodynamic calculation. (author)

Effects of MnO-Al2O3 on the grain growth and high-temperature deformation strain of UO2 fuel pellets

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kang, Ki Won; Yang, Jae Ho; Kim, Jong Hun; Rhee, Young Woo; Kim, Dong Joo; Kim, Keon Sik; Song, Kun Woo

2010-01-01

The fabrication and high-temperature deformation strain of MnO-Al 2 O 3 -doped UO 2 pellets were studied. The effects of additive composition and amount on the microstructure evolution of a UO 2 pellet were investigated. The compressive creep behaviors of MnO-Al 2 O 3 -doped UO 2 pellets were examined. The results indicated that a MnO-Al 2 O 3 binary additive can effectively promote the grain growth of UO 2 pellets. In addition, the high-temperature deformation strain of the UO 2 pellet can be improved significantly with 1,000 ppm 95MnO-5Al 2 O 3 (mol%). The developed MnO-Al 2 O 3 -additive-containing UO 2 pellets can be a potential candidate for a high-burn-up fuel and a pellet-cladding interaction (PCI) remedy. (author)

Three-dimensional single-channel thermal analysis of fully ceramic microencapsulated fuel via two-temperature homogenized model

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lee, Yoonhee; Cho, Nam Zin

2014-01-01

Highlights: • Two-temperature homogenized model is applied to thermal analysis of fully ceramic microencapsulated (FCM) fuel. • Based on the results of Monte Carlo calculation, homogenized parameters are obtained. • 2-D FEM/1-D FDM hybrid method for the model is used to obtain 3-D temperature profiles. • The model provides the fuel-kernel and SiC matrix temperatures separately. • Compared to UO 2 fuel, the FCM fuel shows ∼560 K lower maximum temperatures at steady- and transient states. - Abstract: The fully ceramic microencapsulated (FCM) fuel, one of the accident tolerant fuel (ATF) concepts, consists of TRISO particles randomly dispersed in SiC matrix. This high heterogeneity in compositions leads to difficulty in explicit thermal calculation of such a fuel. For thermal analysis of a fuel element of very high temperature reactors (VHTRs) which has a similar configuration to FCM fuel, two-temperature homogenized model was recently proposed by the authors. The model was developed using particle transport Monte Carlo method for heat conduction problems. It gives more realistic temperature profiles, and provides the fuel-kernel and graphite temperatures separately. In this paper, we apply the two-temperature homogenized model to three-dimensional single-channel thermal analysis of the FCM fuel element for steady- and transient-states using 2-D FEM/1-D FDM hybrid method. In the analyses, we assume that the power distribution is uniform in radial direction at steady-state and that in axial direction it is in the form of cosine function for simplicity. As transient scenarios, we consider (i) coolant inlet temperature transient, (ii) inlet mass flow rate transient, and (iii) power transient. The results of analyses are compared to those of conventional UO 2 fuel having the same geometric dimension and operating conditions

Performance of Transuranic-Loaded Fully Ceramic Micro-Encapsulated Fuel in LWRs Final Report, Including Void Reactivity Evaluation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Pope, Michael A.; Sen, R. Sonat; Boer, Brian; Ougouag, Abderrafi M.; Youinou, Gilles

2011-01-01

The current focus of the Deep Burn Project is on once-through burning of transuranics (TRU) in light-water reactors (LWRs). The fuel form is called Fully-Ceramic Micro-encapsulated (FCM) fuel, a concept that borrows the tri-isotropic (TRISO) fuel particle design from high-temperature reactor technology. In the Deep Burn LWR (DB-LWR) concept, these fuel particles are pressed into compacts using SiC matrix material and loaded into fuel pins for use in conventional LWRs. The TRU loading comes from the spent fuel of a conventional LWR after 5 years of cooling. Unit cell and assembly calculations have been performed using the DRAGON-4 code to assess the physics attributes of TRU-only FCM fuel in an LWR lattice. Depletion calculations assuming an infinite lattice condition were performed with calculations of various reactivity coefficients performed at each step. Unit cells and assemblies containing typical UO2 and mixed oxide (MOX) fuel were analyzed in the same way to provide a baseline against which to compare the TRU-only FCM fuel. Then, assembly calculations were performed evaluating the performance of heterogeneous arrangements of TRU-only FCM fuel pins along with UO2 pins.

Vibrational compacting of UO{sub 2} samples in the cladding; Vibraciono kompaktiranje uzoraka UO{sub 2} u zastitnoj kosuljici

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ristic, M M [Institute of Nuclear Sciences Vinca, Laboratorija za reaktorske materijale, Beograd (Serbia and Montenegro)

1962-12-15

Vibrational compacting was considered as a feasible method for fuel element fabrication. This report describes calibration of the vibrational compacting device. Vibrational compacting of UO{sub 2} was investigated. Obtained densities were not higher than 42% of the theoretical value, i.e. 70% of the possible compacting density. Influence of frequency, acceleration, power and time on the compacted samples was tested. Optimal conditions for UO{sub 2} compacting were as follows: frequency range from 2500 - 4000 Hz; acceleration range from 40 - 100 Hz; maximum power; time of compacting {approx} 5 min. Comparative evaluation of UO{sub 2} and SiO{sub 2} powders was done in order to improve the future development of this method for fabrication of fuel elements.

Nuclear fuel elements

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kawada, Toshiyuki; Hirayama, Satoshi; Yoneya, Katsutoshi.

1980-01-01

Purpose: To enable load-depending operation as well as moderation for the restriction of operation conditions in the present nuclear reactors, by specifying the essential ingredients and the total weight of the additives to UO 2 fuel substances. Constitution: Two or more additives selected from Al 2 O 3 , B 2 O, CaO, MgO, SiO 2 , Na 2 O and P 2 O 5 are added by the total weight of 2 - 5% to fuel substances consisting of UO 2 or a mixture of UO 2 and PuO 2 . When the mixture is sintered, the strength of the fuel elements is decreased and the fuel-cladding interactions due to the difference in the heat expansion coefficients between the ceramic fuel elements and the metal claddings are decreased to a substantially harmless degree. (Horiuchi, T.)

Neutronics characteristics of micro-heterogeneous ThO2-UO2 PWR cores

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zhao, X.; Driscoll, M.J.; Kazimi, S.

2001-01-01

A new fuel concept, axially-micro-heterogeneous ThO 2 -UO 2 fuel, where ThO 2 fuel pellets and UO 2 fuel pellets are stacked in separate layers in the fuel rods, is being studied at MIT as an option to reduce plutonium production in LWR fuel. Very interesting neutronic behavior is observed: (1) A reactivity increase of 3% to 4% at EOL for a given 235 U inventory which results in a 20-30% increase in average core discharge burnup; (2) For certain configurations, a ''burnable poison'' effect is observed. Analysis shows that these effects are achieved due to a combination of changes in self-shielding, local fissile worth, and conversion ratio, among which self-shielding is the dominant effect at the end of a reactivity-limited burnup. Other variations of micro-heterogeneous UO 2 -ThO 2 fuel including duplex pellets, checkerboard pin distribution, and checkerboard-axial combinations have also been investigated, and their neutronic performance compared. It is concluded that the axial fuel micro-heterogeneity provides the largest gain in reactivity-limited burnup. (author)

Computational simulation of the microstructure of irradiation damaged regions for the plate type fuel of UO2 microspheres dispersed in stainless steel matrix

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Reis, S.C. dos; Lage, A.F.; Braga, D.; Ferraz, W.B.

2006-01-01

Plate type fuel elements have high efficiency of thermal transference what benefits the heat flux with high rates of power output. In reactor cores, fuel elements, in general, are subject to a high neutrons flux, high working temperatures, severe corrosion conditions, direct interference of fission products that result from nuclear reactions and radiation interaction-matter. For plate type fuels composed of ceramic particles dispersed in metallic matrix, one can observe the damage regions that arise due to the interaction fission products in the metallic matrix. Aiming at evaluating the extension of the damage regions in function of the particles and its diameters, in this paper, computational geometric simulations structure of plate type fuel cores, composed of UO 2 microspheres dispersed in stainless steel in several fractions of volume and diameters were carried out. The results of the simulations were exported to AutoCAD R where it was possible its visualization and analysis. (author)

Characterization of UO2 by infrared spectroscopy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Faeda, Kelly C.M.; Machado, Geraldo C.; Lameiras, Fernando S.

2011-01-01

The characterization of nuclear fuel is of great importance to minimize the effects related to burnup and temperature and to achieve stability during in-core operation. The understanding the U-O system and its thermodynamic properties has fundamental importance in nuclear industry. Many physical properties of UO 2±x depend on the ratio O / U, such as the electrical conductivity and thermal properties, as well as the diffusivities of its constituents and solutes. The U-O system presents various oxides such as UO 2±x , U 4 O 9 , U 3 O 8 , and UO 3 . The control of the O/U relation is critical to the manufacturing process of UO 2 . In this work, the infrared spectroscopy was used to identify the presence of phases in UO 2 powder samples that cannot be identified by thermogravimetry and X-ray diffraction. (author)

A review of the thermophysical properties of MOX and UO2 fuels

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Carbajo, Juan J.; Yoder, Gradyon L.; Popov, Sergey G.; Ivanov, Victor K.

2001-01-01

A critical review of the thermophysical properties of UO 2 and MOX fuels has been completed, and the best correlations for thermophysical properties have been selected. The properties reviewed are solidus and liquidus temperatures of the uranium/plutonium dioxide system (melting and solidification temperatures), thermal expansion and density, enthalpy and specific heat, enthalpy (or heat) of fusion, and thermal conductivity. Only fuel properties have been reviewed. The selected set of property correlations was compiled to be used in thermal-hydraulic codes to perform safety calculations

Effects of hyperstoichiometry and fission products on the electrochemical reactivity of UO2 nuclear fuel

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Betteridge, J.S.; Scott, N.A.M.; Shoesmith, D.W.; Bahen, L.E.; Hocking, W.H.; Lucuta, P.G.

1997-03-01

The effects of hyperstoichiometry and fission products on the electrochemical reactivity Of UO 2 nuclear fuel have been systematically investigated using cyclic voltammetry and the O 2 reduction reaction. Significant constraints are placed on the active-site model for O 2 reduction by the modest impact of bulk hyperstoichiometry. Formation of the U 4 O 9 derivative phase was associated with a marked increase in transient surface oxidation/reduction processes, which probably involve localized attack and might be fostered by tensile stresses induced during oxidation. Electrocatalytic reduction Of O 2 on simulated nuclear fuel (SIMFUEL) has been determined to increase progressively with nominal burnup and pronounced enhancement of H 2 O reduction has been observed as well. Substitution of uranium by lower-valence (simulated) fission products, which was formerly considered the probable cause for this behaviour, has now been shown to merely provide good electrical conductivity. Instead, the enhanced reduction kinetics for O 2 and H 2 O on SIMFUEL can be fully accounted for by noble metals, which segregate to the UO 2 grain boundaries as micron-sized particles, despite their low effective surface area. Apparent convergence of the electrochemical properties Of UO 2 and SIMFUEL through natural corrosion likely reflects evolution toward a common active surface. (author)

The effect of U3O-8 addition on the UO2 pellet

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Indrati, Y.T.; Syarif, D. G.; Handayani, A.

1998-01-01

The purpose of varied U 3 O 8 addition on the UO 2 pellet fabrication is to from 1-3 mu pores. The green pellets, compacted with 3 ton/cm 2 , are a mixture powder of UO 2 , TiO 2 (0.1% weight) and varied U 3 O 8 (0-12.5% weight). The green pellets were presintered by H2 atmosphere. The presintered pellets were put on the ceramic crucibles and than those were put on the SS 316 tube with argon atmosphere. The 1400 o C sintering was hold with the soaking time 3 hr and the same rate of heating and cooling 150 o C/hr. The UO 2 pellet with 5% (weight) U 3 O 8 addition has 95.17% of theoretic density and 548.4 ±6.57 VH. Based on the identification of microstructure of pellet, it is not acceptable for nuclear fuel although pellet has 10.02 mu on grain size and 1.3 mu on closed pore size. By the diffractometer X-ray, crystal structure of pellet is face centered cubic (FCC) with the O/U ratio is 2.08

Determination of Gd concentration profile in UO{sub 2}–Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3} fuel pellets

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Tobia, D., E-mail: dina.tobia@cab.cnea.gov.ar [Laboratorio de Resonancias Magnéticas, Centro Atómico Bariloche – CNEA and CONICET, 8400 S.C. de Bariloche (Argentina); Winkler, E.L.; Milano, J.; Butera, A. [Laboratorio de Resonancias Magnéticas, Centro Atómico Bariloche – CNEA and CONICET, 8400 S.C. de Bariloche (Argentina); Kempf, R. [División Caracterización de Combustibles Avanzados, Gerencia Ciclo Combustible Nuclear, Centro Atómico Constituyentes – CNEA, 1650 San Martín, Pcia. de Buenos Aires (Argentina); Bianchi, L.; Kaufmann, F. [Departamento de Combustibles Avanzados, Gerencia Ciclo Combustible Nuclear, Centro Atómico Constituyentes – CNEA, 1650 San Martín, Pcia. de Buenos Aires (Argentina)

2014-08-01

A transversal mapping of the Gd concentration was measured in UO{sub 2}–Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3} nuclear fuel pellets by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR). The quantification was made from the comparison with a Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3} reference sample. The nominal concentration in the pellets is UO{sub 2}: 7.5% Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3}. A concentration gradient was found, which indicates that the Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3} amount diminishes towards the edges of the pellets. The concentration varies from (9.3 ± 0.5)% in the center to (5.8 ± 0.3)% in one of the edges. The method was found to be particularly suitable for the precise mapping of the distribution of Gd{sup 3+} ions in the UO{sub 2} matrix.

A comparative study of fission gas behaviour in UO2 and MOX fuels using the meteor fuel performance code

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Struzik, C.; Garcia, Ph.; Noirot, L.

2002-01-01

The paper reviews some of the fission-gas-related differences observed between MOX MIMAS AUC fuels and homogeneous UO 2 fuels. Under steady-state conditions, the apparently higher fractional release in MOX fuels is interpreted with the METEOR fuel performance code as a consequence of their lower thermal conductivity and the higher linear heat rates to which MOX fuel rods are subjected. Although more fundamental diffusion properties are needed, the apparently greater swelling of MOX fuel rods at higher linear heat rates can be ascribed to enhanced diffusion properties. (authors)

Recycling process of Mn-Al doped large grain UO2 pellets

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nam, Ik Hui; Yang, Jae Ho; Rhee, Young Woo; Kim, Dong Joo; Kim, Jong Hun; Kim, Keon Sik; Song, Kun Woo

2010-01-01

To reduce the fuel cycle costs and the total mass of spent light water reactor (LWR) fuels, it is necessary to extend the fuel discharged burn-up. Research on fuel pellets focuses on increasing the pellet density and grain size to increase the uranium contents and the high burnup safety margins for LWRs. KAERI are developing the large grain UO 2 pellet for the same purpose. Small amount of additives doping technology are used to increase the grain size and the high temperature deformation of UO 2 pellets. Various promising additive candidates had been developed during the last 3 years and the MnO-Al 2 O 3 doped UO 2 fuel pellet is one of the most promising candidates. In a commercial UO 2 fuel pellet manufacturing process, defective UO 2 pellets or scraps are produced and those should be reused. A common recycling method for defective UO 2 pellets or scraps is that they are oxidized in air at about 450 .deg. C to make U 3 O 8 powder and then added to UO 2 powder. In the oxidation of a UO 2 pellet, the oxygen propagates along the grain boundary. The U 3 O 8 formation on the grain boundary causes a spallation of the grains. So, size and shape of U 3 O 8 powder deeply depend on the initial grain size of UO 2 pellets. In the case of Mn-Al doped large grain pellets, the average grain size is about 45μm and about 5 times larger than a typical un-doped UO 2 pellet which has grain size of about 8∼10μm. That big difference in grain size is expected to cause a big difference in recycled U 3 O 8 powder morphology. Addition of U 3 O 8 to UO 2 leads to a drop in the pellet density, impeding a grain growth and the formation of graph- like pore segregates. Such degradation of the UO 2 pellet properties by adding the recycled U 3 O 8 powder depend on the U 3 O 8 powder properties. So, it is necessary to understand the property and its effect on the pellet of the recycled U 3 O 8 . This paper shows a preliminary result about the recycled U 3 O 8 powder which was obtained by

A review and discussion of candidate ceramics for immobilization of high-level fuel reprocessing wastes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hayward, P.J.

1982-08-01

This review discusses and attempts to evaluate 11 of the leading ceramic processes for hosting the high-level and high-level plus medium-level wastes which would arise from the reprocessing of used UO 2 , (Th,Pu)O 2 and (Th,U)O 2 fuels. The wasteform materials considered include glass ceramics, supercalcine ceramics, SYNROC ceramics, 'stuffed glass', titanate ceramics, cermets, clay ceramics, cement-based materials and multibarrier wasteforms. Although no attempt has been made to rank these candidates in order of superiority, the conclusion is drawn that, of the materials proposed so far, a glass ceramic appears to be best suited to the Canadian program, taking into account durability in the potential environment of a flooded vault, ability to withstand radiation and transmutation damage without serious loss of durability, ability to accommodate variable waste compositions, and ease of processing and quality control. This conclusion does not necessarily apply to other national waste management programs. However, many of the points raised might be included in any critical assessment of alternative wasteform materials

Oxidation kinetic changes of UO2 by additive addition and irradiation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

You, Gil-Sung; Kim, Keon-Sik; Min, Duck-Kee; Ro, Seung-Gy

2000-01-01

The kinetic changes of air-oxidation of UO 2 by additive addition and irradiation were investigated. Several kinds of specimens, such as unirradiated-UO 2 , simulated-UO 2 for spent PWR fuel (SIMFUEL), unirradiated-Gd-doped UO 2 , irradiated-UO 2 and -Gd-doped UO 2 , were used for these experiments. The oxidation results represented that the kinetic patterns among those samples are remarkably different. It was also revealed that the oxidation kinetics of irradiated-UO 2 seems to be more similar to that of unirradiated-Gd-doped UO 2 than that of SIMFUEL

Overall models and experimental database for UO2 and MOX fuel increasing performance

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bernard, L.C.; Blanpain, P.

2001-01-01

COPERNIC is an advanced fuel rod performance code developed by Framatome. It is based on the TRANSURANUS code that contains a clear and flexible architecture, and offers many modeling possibilities. The main objectives of COPERNIC are to accurately predict steady-state and transient fuel operations at high burnups and to incorporate advanced materials such as the Framatome M5-alloy cladding. An extensive development program was undertaken to benchmark the code to very high burnups and to new M5-alloy cladding data. New models were developed for the M5-alloy cladding and the COPERNIC thermal models were upgraded and improved to extend the predictions to burnups over 100 GWd/tM. Since key phenomena, like fission gas release, are strongly temperature dependent, many other models were upgraded also. The COPERNIC qualification range extends to 67, 55, 53 GWd/tM respectively for UO 2 , UO 2 -Gd 2 O 3 , and MOX fuels with Zircaloy-4 claddings. The range extends to 63 GWd/tM with UO 2 fuel and the advanced M5-alloy cladding. The paper focuses on thermal and fission gas release models, and on MOX fuel modeling. The COPERNIC thermal model consists of several submodels: gap conductance, gap closure, fuel thermal conductivity, radial power profile, and fuel rim. The fuel thermal conductivity and the gap closure models, in particular, have been significantly improved. The model was benchmarked with 3400 fuel centerline temperature data from many French and international programs. There are no measured to predicted statistical biases with respect to linear heat generation rate or burnup. The overall quality of the model is state-of-the-art as the model uncertainty is below 10 %. The fission gas release takes into account athermal and thermally activated mechanisms. The model was adapted to MOX and Gadolinia fuels. For the heterogeneous MOX MIMAS fuels, an effective burnup is used for the incubation threshold. For gadolinia fuels, a scaled temperature effect is used. The

Specification of PWR UO2 pellet design parameters with the fuel performance code FRAPCON-1

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Silva, A.T.; Marra Neto, A.

1988-08-01

UO 2 pellet design parameters are analysed to verify their influence in the fuel basic properties and in its performance under irradiation in pressurized water reactors. Three groups of parameters are discussed: 1) content of fissionable and impurity materials; 2) stoichiometry; 3) density pore morpholoy, and microstructure. A methodology is applied with the fuel performance program FRAPCON-1 to specify these parameters. (author [pt

A proposal for a unified fuel thermal conductivity model available for UO{sub 2}, (U-Pu)O{sub 2} and UO{sub 2}-GD{sub 2}O{sub 3} PWR fuel

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Baron, D [Electrice de France, Moret-sur-Loing (France); Couty, J C [Electricite de France (EDF), 69 - Villeurbanne (France)

1997-08-01

In order to cope with the current fuel management targets which are focussed on higher discharge burnups, initial {sup 235}U fuel enrichments have been increased from 3.25% to 4%. To avoid an increase in boron concentration in the primary circuit, Gadolinium is used as a burnable poison, spread in the uranium oxide matrix of selected rods, in order to absorb the initial reactivity excess. Obviously, fuel thermal conductivity is affected when introducing any stranger element. Previously, the EDF thermomechanical code provided two different models to simulate the fuel thermal conductivity: one available for UO{sub 2} and (U-Pu)O{sub 2} fuels, the other for Gadolinia fuels, depending on the calculations to be done. No effect of the initial fuel stoichiometry was taken into account in the second model. That situation suggested the development of a unified model available for any fuels presently loaded in the EDF PWR reactors. This paper deals with the choice of the formulation, the data base used and the methodology applied for parameter fitting. Results in terms of measured versus predicted evaluation are then discussed. (author). 11 refs, 5 figs.

Analytical determination of thermal conductivity of W-UO2 and W-UN CERMET nuclear fuels

Science.gov (United States)

Webb, Jonathan A.; Charit, Indrajit

2012-08-01

The thermal conductivity of tungsten based CERMET fuels containing UO2 and UN fuel particles are determined as a function of particle geometry, stabilizer fraction and fuel-volume fraction, by using a combination of an analytical approach and experimental data collected from literature. Thermal conductivity is estimated using the Bruggeman-Fricke model. This study demonstrates that thermal conductivities of various CERMET fuels can be analytically predicted to values that are very close to the experimentally determined ones.

Modeling of burnup express-estimation for UO{sub 2}-fuel

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Likhanskii, Vladimir V.; Tokarev, Sergey A.; Vilkhivskaya, Olga V., E-mail: vilhivskaya_olga@mail.ru

2017-03-15

Highlights: • Proposed engineering model estimates fuel burnup by {sup 134}Cs/{sup 137}Cs activity ratio. • Buildup of cesium isotopes relies on changing neutron spectrum in the core cycle. • {sup 134}Cs/{sup 137}Cs activity ratios in FAs with Gd-doped fuel rods are analyzed. • Comparison of the model calculations with the NPPs spike measurements is presented. - Abstract: The paper presents the developed engineering model of cesium isotopes production as function of UO{sub 2}-fuel burnup and an assessment of their activity ratios. The model considers the evolution of linear power of gadolinium-doped fuel rods and fuel rods surrounding them in fuel assemblies with high enrichment fuel, harder neutron spectrum, and the changes in cross-sections of neutron reactions in thermal and epithermal energy areas. Parametrical dependences in the model are based on the fuel operation data for nuclear power plants and on the detailed neutronic-physical calculations of the core. Presented are the results of the model calculations for the {sup 134}Cs/{sup 137}Cs activity ratios in fuel taking into account the parameter of hardness of the neutron spectrum during the first irradiation cycle for fuel with enrichment ranging from 3.6 wt% in {sup 235}U.

UO2 - Zr chemical interaction of PHWR fuel pins under high temperature

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Majumdar, P.; Mukhopadhyay, D.; Gupta, S.K.

2001-01-01

At high temperature Zircaloy clad interacts with the UO 2 fuel as well as with the steam to produce oxide layer of a-Zr(O) and ZrO 2 . This layer formation significantly reduces the structural strength of the clad. A computer code SFDCPA/MOD1 has been developed to simulate the interaction and predict the oxide layer thickness for any accidental transient condition. It is well validated with published experimental data on the isothermal and transient temperature condition. The program is applied to Indian Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) fuel pin under certain severe transient condition where it experiences temperature above 1000 C. The study gives an idea of the un-oxidized thickness of Zircaloy, which is an important criterion for fuel integrity. (author)

Dissolution of unirradiated UO{sub 2} fuel in synthetic groundwater. Final report (1996-1998)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ollila, K. [VTT Chemical Technology, Espoo (Finland)

1999-05-01

This study was a part of the EU R and D programme 1994-1998: Nuclear Fission Safety, entitled `Source term for performance assessment of spent fuel as a waste form`. The research carried out at VTT Chemical Technology was focused on the effects of granitic groundwater composition and redox conditions on UO{sub 2} solubility and dissolution mechanisms. The synthetic groundwater compositions simulated deep granitic fresh and saline groundwaters, and the effects of the near-field material, bentonite, on very saline groundwater. Additionally, the Spanish granite/bentonite water was used. The redox conditions (Eh), which are obviously the most important factors that influence on UO{sub 2} solubility under the disposal conditions of spent fuel, varied from strongly oxidising (air-saturated), anaerobic (N{sub 2}, O{sub 2} < l ppm) to reducing (N{sub 2}, low Eh). The objective of the air-saturated dissolution experiments was to yield the maximum solution concentrations of U, and information on the formation of secondary phases that control the concentrations, with different groundwater compositions. The static batch solubility experiments of long duration (up to 1-2 years) were performed using unirradiated UO{sub 2} pellets and powder. Under anaerobic and reducing conditions, the solubilities were also approached from oversaturation. The results of the oxic, air-saturated dissolution experiments with UO{sub 2} powder showed that the increase in the salinity (< 1.7 M) had a minor effect on the measured steady-state concentrations of U. The concentrations, (1.2 ...2.5) x 10{sup -5} M, were at the level of the theoretical solubility of schoepite or another uranyl oxide hydrate, e.g. becquerelite (possibly Na-polyuranate). The higher alkalinity of the fresh (Allard) composition increased the aqueous U concentration. Only some kind of oxidised U-phase (U{sub 3}O{sub 8}-UO{sub 3}) was identified with XRD when studying possible secondary phases after the contact time of one year

Development of a kinetic model for the dissolution of the UO2 spent nuclear fuel. Application of the model to the minor radionuclides

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bruno, J.; Cera, E.; Duro, L.; Pon, J.; Pablo, J. de; Eriksen, Trygve

1998-05-01

A kinetic model has been developed in order to explain the evolution of the spent fuel matrix/groundwater system. Mass balance equations have been used to follow the evolution of the system with time. The model has been calibrated by using experimental dissolution data from spent fuel leaching tests from Studsvik and KTH and from synthetic unirradiated UO 2 dissolution tests from VTT. The results of the testing exercise indicate that the combination of mass balance equations together with the kinetic rate laws constitute a useful tool to model and explain experimental dissolution data available in the literature for UO 2 solid phases, including uraninites, unirradiated UO 2 and spent fuel. Although the key processes are well identified and understood, there are still some remaining uncertainties concerning some of the critical parameters of the model. This is particularly true for the density of UO 2 sites prone to oxidation and the rates and mechanisms of the hydrogen peroxide and the combined oxygen and bicarbonate promoted dissolution of UO 2 for oxidant concentration ranges relevant to the spent fuel disposal system. The mass balance kinetic model developed has been extended to minor radionuclides contained in the matrix, i.e. Pu, Tc and Sr. In the case of Pu, the model presented reproduces the behaviour of this critical radionuclide even at early contact times. As it would be expected, Tc seems to follow a different mechanism for its release with respect to the UO 2 matrix dissolution, which is probably linked to the rate of oxidation of Tc metallic inclusions in the fuel. A co- dissolution process of Sr with the UO 2 matrix reproduces the long term dissolution behaviour of this radionuclide, better than the initial Sr release rates

Measurement of thermal conductivity of sintered UO{sub 2} in the reactor; Merenje toplotne provodljivosti sinterovanog UO{sub 2} u reaktoru

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Katanic, J; Stevanovic, M [Institute of Nuclear Sciences Vinca, Beograd (Serbia and Montenegro)

1965-10-15

Thermal conductivity is considered one of the fundamental properties of sintered UO{sub 2} fuel. Samples should be tested under real core conditions. This paper covers the methods and instruments for thermal conductivity measurement of UO{sub 2} samples in the reactor core, measurements outside the core under conditions similar to those in the core and outside the core after irradiation. Fuel samples are placed in capsules for irradiation in the reactor in-core loops.

Investigation of very high burnup UO{sub 2} fuels in Light Water Reactors

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cappia, Fabiola

2017-03-27

Historically, the average discharge burnup of Light Water Reactor (LWR) fuel has increased almost continuously. On one side, increase in the average discharge burnup is attractive because it contributes to decrease part of the fuel cycle costs. On the other side, it raises the practical problem of predicting the performance, longevity and properties of reactor fuel elements upon accumulation of irradiation damage and fission products both during in-reactor operation and after discharge. Performance of the fuel and structural components of the core is one of the critical areas on which the economic viability and public acceptance of nuclear energy production hinges. Along the pellet radius, the fuel matrix is subjected to extremely heterogeneous alteration and damage, as a result of temperature and burnup gradients. In particular, in the peripheral region of LWR UO{sub 2} fuel pellets, when the local burnup exceeds 50-70 GWd/tHM, a microstructural transformation starts to take place, as a consequence of enhanced accumulation of radiation damage, fission products and limited thermal recovery. The newly formed structure is commonly named High Burnup Structure (HBS). The HBS is characterised by three main features: (a) formation of submicrometric grains from the original grains, (b) depletion of fission gas from the fuel matrix, (c) steep increase in the porosity, which retains most of the gas depleted from the fuel matrix. The last two aspects rose significant attention because of the important impact of the fission gas behaviour on integral fuel performance. The porosity increase controls the gas-driven swelling, worsening the cladding loading once the fuel-cladding gap is closed. Another concern is that the large retention of fission gas within the HBS could lead to significant release at high burnups through the degradation of thermal conductivity or contribute to fuel pulverisation during accidental conditions. Need of more experimental investigations about the

Statistical model for grain boundary and grain volume oxidation kinetics in UO2 spent fuel

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Stout, R.B.; Shaw, H.F.; Einziger, R.E.

1989-09-01

This paper addresses statistical characteristics for the simplest case of grain boundary/grain volume oxidation kinetics of UO 2 to U 3 O 7 for a fragment of a spent fuel pellet. It also presents a limited discussion of future extensions to this simple case to represent the more complex cases of oxidation kinetics in spent fuels. 17 refs., 1 fig

Gaseous swelling of B4C and UO2 fuel: similarities and differences

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Evdokimov, I.; Khoruzhii, O.; Kourtchatov, S.; Likhanskii, V.; Matweev, L.

2001-01-01

A major factor limiting the resource of control rods (CRs) for WWER-1000 reactors is their radiation damage. Radiation induced embrittlement of the CRs cladding, core swelling and gaseous internal pressure in CRs result in mechanical core-cladding interaction. This work is devoted to the physical analysis of processes that control the structural changes in neutron absorber elements with B 4 C under irradiation in water reactors. Particularly, the analysis of mechanisms of the helium porosity formation in B 4 C is undertaken. In view of the deficiency of experimental data on the subject, a fruitful approach to the problem is a comparative analysis of the swelling mechanisms in B 4 C absorber and UO 2 fuel. Using this similarity a phenomenological model of fission gas behavior in boron carbide is proposed. The model predictions for radial profile of 10 B burnup under influence of thermal and epithermal neutrons are compared with experimental results. The main results show that despite the external similarity of the process of fission gas accumulation in UO 2 and in B 4 C, phenomenology of gaseous swelling is much different for the fuel and the CR core. The reason for that difference is the distinction of physical conditions in irradiated fuel and CR core

An improved UO2 thermal conductivity model in the ELESTRES computer code

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Chassie, G.G.; Tochaie, M.; Xu, Z.

2010-01-01

This paper describes the improved UO 2 thermal conductivity model for use in the ELESTRES (ELEment Simulation and sTRESses) computer code. The ELESTRES computer code models the thermal, mechanical and microstructural behaviour of a CANDU® fuel element under normal operating conditions. The main purpose of the code is to calculate fuel temperatures, fission gas release, internal gas pressure, fuel pellet deformation, and fuel sheath strains for fuel element design and assessment. It is also used to provide initial conditions for evaluating fuel behaviour during high temperature transients. The thermal conductivity of UO 2 fuel is one of the key parameters that affect ELESTRES calculations. The existing ELESTRES thermal conductivity model has been assessed and improved based on a large amount of thermal conductivity data from measurements of irradiated and un-irradiated UO 2 fuel with different densities. The UO 2 thermal conductivity data cover 90% to 99% theoretical density of UO 2 , temperature up to 3027 K, and burnup up to 1224 MW·h/kg U. The improved thermal conductivity model, which is recommended for a full implementation in the ELESTRES computer code, has reduced the ELESTRES code prediction biases of temperature, fission gas release, and fuel sheath strains when compared with the available experimental data. This improved thermal conductivity model has also been checked with a test version of ELESTRES over the full ranges of fuel temperature, fuel burnup, and fuel density expected in CANDU fuel. (author)

The effect of dissolved hydrogen on the dissolution of 233U doped UO2(s) high burn-up spent fuel and MOX fuel

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Carbol, P.; Spahiu, K.

2005-03-01

In this report the results of the experimental work carried out in a large EU-research project (SFS, 2001-2004) on spent fuel stability in the presence of various amounts of near field hydrogen are presented. Studies of the dissolution of 233 U doped UO 2 (s) simulating 'old' spent fuel were carried out as static leaching tests, autoclave tests with various hydrogen concentrations and electrochemical tests. The results of the leaching behaviour of a high burn-up spent fuel pellet in 5 M NaCl solutions in the presence of 3.2 bar H 2 pressure and of MOX fuel in dilute synthetic groundwater under 53 bar H 2 pressure are also presented. In all the experimental studies carried out in this project, a considerable effect of hydrogen in the dissolution rates of radioactive materials was observed. The experimental results obtained in this project with a-doped UO 2 , high burn-up spent fuel and MOX fuel together with literature data give a reliable background to use fractional alteration/dissolution rates for spent fuel of the order of 10 -6 /yr - 10 -8 /yr with a recommended value of 4x10 -7 /yr for dissolved hydrogen concentrations above 10 -3 M and Fe(II) concentrations typical for European repository concepts. Finally, based on a review of the experimental data and available literature data, potential mechanisms of the hydrogen effect are also discussed. The work reported in this document was performed as part of the Project SFS of the European Commission 5th Framework Programme under contract no FIKW-CT-2001-20192 SFS. It represents the deliverable D10 of the experimental work package 'Key experiments using a-doped UO 2 and real spent fuel', coordinated by SKB with the participation of ITU, FZK-INE, ENRESA, CIEMAT, ARMINES-SUBATECH and SKB

An Analysis of the Thermal and Structure Behaviour of the UO2-PuO2-Fuel in the Irradiation Experiment of the UO2-PuO2-Fuel in the Irradiation Experiment FR2 Capsule Test Series 5a

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lopez Jimenez, J.; Helmut, E.

1981-01-01

In the Karlsruhe research reactor FR2 nine fuel pins were irradiated within three irradiation capsules in the course of the test series 5a. The pins contained UO 2 -PuO 2 fuel pellets. They reached bump values of about 6, 17 and 47 Mwd/Kg Me with linear rod powers of 400 to 600 W/cm and clad surface temperature between 500 and 700 degree centigree. A detailed analysis of the fuel structuration data (columnar-grain and equiaxed- -grain growth regions) have allowed to determine, with the help of physic-mathematical models, the radii of these regions and the heat transfer through the contact zone between fuel and clad depending on the bump. The results of the analysis showed that the fuel surface temperature rose with increasing burnup. (Author) 16 refs

Possible effects of UO2 oxidation on light water reactor spent fuel performance in long-term geologic disposal

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Almassy, M.Y.; Woodley, R.E.

1982-08-01

Disposal of spent nuclear fuel in a conventionally mined geologic formation is the nearest-term option for permanently isolating radionuclides from the biosphere. Because irradiated uranium dioxide (UO 2 ) fuel pellets retain 95 to 99% of the radionuclides generated during normal light water reactor operation, they may represent a significant barrier to radionuclide release. This document presents a technical assessment of published literature representing the current level of understanding of spent fuel characteristics and conditions that may degrade pellet integrity during a geologic disposal sequence. A significant deterioration mechanism is spent UO 2 oxidation with possible consequences identified as fission gas release, rod diameter increases, cladding breach extension, and release of solid fuel particles containing radionuclides. Areas requiring further study to support development of a comprehensive spent fuel performance prediction model are highlighted. A program and preliminary schedule to obtain the information needed to develop model correlations are also presented

Industrial ceramics

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mengelle, Ch.

1999-04-01

After having given the definition of the term 'ceramics', the author describes the different manufacturing processes of these compounds. These materials are particularly used in the fields of 1)petroleum industry (in primary and secondary reforming units, in carbon black reactors and ethylene furnaces). 2)nuclear industry (for instance UO 2 and PuO 2 as fuels; SiC for encapsulation; boron carbides for control systems..)

A study of the effectiveness of hand protection when handling UO2 fuel pellets

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Washington, R.R.; Sullivan, D.F.

1981-01-01

Simple tests were performed to estimate the effectiveness of various forms of hand protection in reducing skin doses when handling UO 2 fuel pellets. Household rubber gloves (rubberized cotton) appeared to be the most effective of the varieties tested. Nylon gloves and latex finger cots were least effective. (author)

Chemical activity of noble gases Kr and Xe and its impact on fission gas accumulation in the irradiated UO2 fuel

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Szuta, M.

2006-01-01

It is generally accepted that most of the insoluble inert gas atoms Xe and Kr produced during fissioning are retained in the fuel irradiated at a temperature lower than the threshold. Experimental data imply that we can assume that after irradiation exposure in excess of 10 18 fissions/cm 3 the single gas atom diffusion can be disregarded in description of fission gas behaviour. It is assumed that the vicinity of the fission fragment trajectory is the place of intensive irradiation induced chemical interaction of the fission gas products with UO 2 . Significant part of fission gas product is thus expected to be chemically bound in the matrix of UO 2 . Experiments with mixture of noble gases, coupled with theoretical calculations, provide strong evidence for direct bonds between Ar, Kr, or Xe atoms and the U atom of the CUO molecule. Because of its positive charge, the UO 2 2+ ion, which is isoelectronic with CUO, should form even stronger bonds with noble gas atoms, which could lead to a growing number of complexes that contain direct noble gas - to - actinide bonds. Considering the huge amount of gas immobilised in the UO 2 fuel the solution process and in consequence the re-solution process of rare gases is to be replaced by the chemical bonding process. This explains the fission gas accumulation in the irradiated UO 2 fuel. (author)

Fission product release from UO2 during irradiation. Diffusion data and their application to reactor fuel pins

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Findlay, J.R.; Johnson, F.A.; Turnbull, J.A.; Friskney, C.A.

1980-01-01

Release of fission product species from UO 2 , and to a limited extent from (U, Pu)0 2 was studied using small scale in-reactor experiments in which these interacting variables may be separated, as far as is possible, and their influences assessed. Experiments were at fuel ratings appropriate to water reactor fuel elements and both single crystal and poly-crystalline specimens were used. They employed highly enriched uranium such that the relative number of fissions occurring in plutonium formed by neutron capture was small. The surface to volume ratio (S/V) of the specimens was well defined thus reducing the uncertainties in the derivation of diffusion coefficients. These experiments demonstrate many of the important characteristics of fission product behaviour in UO 2 during irradiation. The samples used for these experiments were small being always less than 1g with a fissile content usually between 2 and 5mg. Polycrystalline materials were taken from batches of production fuel prepared by conventional pressing and sintering techniques. The enriched single crystals were grown from a melt of sodium and potassium chloride doped with UO 2 powder 20% 235 U content. The irradiations were performed in the DIDO reactor at Harwell. The neutron flux at the specimen was 4x10 16 neutrons m -2 s -1 providing a heat rating within the samples of 34.5 MW/teU

The production of sinterable UO2 from AUC

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Chang, I.S.; Do, J.B.; Choi, Y.D.; Park, M.H.; Yun, H.H.; Kim, E.H.; Kim, Y.W.

1982-01-01

Fluidization, feeding and discharging, and mixing of fine particles (-up to 40μ in diameter) in fluidized bed reactor has been examined. The degree of conversion has been estimated using the kinetic data differential scanning colorimetry(DSC) and thermogravimetic analysis (TGA) of ammonium uranyl carbonate (AUC) and residence time distribution data. Satisfactory operation is obtained with a sintered ceramic distributor and filters. The reactor equilvalent to approximately 1.1-1.3 stages. Thermal analysis of AUC in hydrogen atmosphere shows that the decomposition of AUC to UO 3 at 200degC is followed by reduction of UO 3 to UO 2 in two steps in the range between 400degC and 500degC and the complete conversion to UO 2 takes two minutes at 550degC. The overall conversion of above 99.5% in the fluidized bed reactor is estimated with 40 minutes of a mean particle residence time at 600degC. (Author)

Development of a kinetic model for the dissolution of the UO{sub 2} spent nuclear fuel. Application of the model to the minor radionuclides

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bruno, J.; Cera, E.; Duro, L.; Pon, J. [QuantiSci SL, Barcelona (Spain); Pablo, J. de [UPC, Barcelona (Spain). Dept. Enginyeria Quimica; Eriksen, Trygve [Royal Inst. of Tech., Stockholm (Sweden). Dept. of Nuclear Chemistry

1998-05-01

A kinetic model has been developed in order to explain the evolution of the spent fuel matrix/groundwater system. Mass balance equations have been used to follow the evolution of the system with time. The model has been calibrated by using experimental dissolution data from spent fuel leaching tests from Studsvik and KTH and from synthetic unirradiated UO{sub 2} dissolution tests from VTT. The results of the testing exercise indicate that the combination of mass balance equations together with the kinetic rate laws constitute a useful tool to model and explain experimental dissolution data available in the literature for UO{sub 2} solid phases, including uraninites, unirradiated UO{sub 2} and spent fuel. Although the key processes are well identified and understood, there are still some remaining uncertainties concerning some of the critical parameters of the model. This is particularly true for the density of UO{sub 2} sites prone to oxidation and the rates and mechanisms of the hydrogen peroxide and the combined oxygen and bicarbonate promoted dissolution of UO{sub 2} for oxidant concentration ranges relevant to the spent fuel disposal system. The mass balance kinetic model developed has been extended to minor radionuclides contained in the matrix, i.e. Pu, Tc and Sr. In the case of Pu, the model presented reproduces the behaviour of this critical radionuclide even at early contact times. As it would be expected, Tc seems to follow a different mechanism for its release with respect to the UO{sub 2} matrix dissolution, which is probably linked to the rate of oxidation of Tc metallic inclusions in the fuel. A co- dissolution process of Sr with the UO{sub 2} matrix reproduces the long term dissolution behaviour of this radionuclide, better than the initial Sr release rates 49 refs, 22 figs, 2 tables

Post-irradiation examination of fifteen UO2/PuO2-fuel pins from the experiment DFR-350

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Geithoff, D.

1975-06-01

Within the framework of the fuel pin development for a sodium-cooled fast reactor a subassembly containing 77 fuel pins has been irradiated up to 5.65% fima in the Dounreay fast reactor. The pins were prototypes in terms of fuel and cladding material. The fuel consisted of mechanically mixed UO 2 (80%) and PuO 2 (20%) pressed into pellets whereas austenitic steels (W.-No. 1,4961 and 1,4988) were used as cladding material. Furthermore a blanket column of UO 2 pellets and a gas plenum were incorporated in the pin. For irradiation the conditions in a fast breeder were simulated by a linear rod power of 450 W/cm and a maximum cladding temperature of 630 0 C. After the successful completion of the irradiation, the subassembly was dismantled and fifteen pins were selected for a nondestructive and destructive examination. The tests included visual control, measurement of external dimensions, γ-spectroscopy, X-ray radiography, fission gas measurement, ceramography, radiochemical burn-up measurement. The results are presented. The most important results of the examinations seem to be the migration of fission product cesium and the fact that no signs of impending pin failure have been found. Thus the pin specification tested in this experiment is capable of achieving higher burnups under the irradiation conditions described above. (orig./AK) [de

Oxidation of UO2 at 150 to 3500C

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

White, G.D.; Knox, C.A.; Gilbert, E.R.; Johnson, A.B. Jr.

1983-07-01

Oxidation of UO 2 through breached LWR spent fuel rods during interim storage in air atmospheres is a potential mechanism for degradation of cladding integrity. The temperature-time range of published data are inadequate to establish long term behavior under dry storage conditions. Consequently, tests are being conducted in the temperature range of 150 to 350 0 C on unirradiated pellets to evaluate fuel oxidation behavior. The tests have revealed significant-to-minor oxidation at temperatures down to 200 0 C and no measurable oxidation at 150 0 C for times up to 3000 hours. Oxidation at 200 0 C for 2000 hours led to formation of low density particulate U 3 O 8 which destroys pellet integrity. Oxidation of UO 2 pellets at 215 and 250 0 C was signifcantly accelerated by the presence of 1 volume percent NO 2 in the air. NO 2 is a potential constituent of the air, forming by radiolysis in the gamma radiation field associated with spent fuel assemblies. NO 2 reaction with UO 2 pellets leads to accelerated formation of UO 3 and pellet disintegration. 11 references, 15 figures

Modeling the UO2 ex-AUC pellet process and predicting the fuel rod temperature distribution under steady-state operating condition

Science.gov (United States)

Hung, Nguyen Trong; Thuan, Le Ba; Thanh, Tran Chi; Nhuan, Hoang; Khoai, Do Van; Tung, Nguyen Van; Lee, Jin-Young; Jyothi, Rajesh Kumar

2018-06-01

Modeling uranium dioxide pellet process from ammonium uranyl carbonate - derived uranium dioxide powder (UO2 ex-AUC powder) and predicting fuel rod temperature distribution were reported in the paper. Response surface methodology (RSM) and FRAPCON-4.0 code were used to model the process and to predict the fuel rod temperature under steady-state operating condition. Fuel rod design of AP-1000 designed by Westinghouse Electric Corporation, in these the pellet fabrication parameters are from the study, were input data for the code. The predictive data were suggested the relationship between the fabrication parameters of UO2 pellets and their temperature image in nuclear reactor.

Pressure analysis in the fabrication process of TRISO UO2-coated fuel particle

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Liu Malin; Shao Youlin; Liu Bing

2012-01-01

Highlights: ► The pressure signals during the real TRISO UO2-coated fuel particle fabrication process. ► A new relationship about the pressure drop change and the coated fuel particles properties. ► The proposed relationship is validated by experimental results during successive coating. ► A convenient method for monitoring the fluidized state during coating process. - Abstract: The pressure signals in the coating furnace are obtained experimentally from the TRISO UO 2 -coated fuel particle fabrication process. The pressure signals during the coating process are analyzed and a simplified relationship about the pressure drop change due to the coated layer is proposed based on the spouted bed hydrodynamics. The change of pressure drop is found to be consistent with the change of the combination factor about particle density, bed density, particle diameter and static bed height, during the successive coating process of the buffer PyC, IPyC, SiC and OPyC layer. The newly proposed relationship is validated by the experimental values. Based on this relationship, a convenient method is proposed for real-time monitoring the fluidized state of the particles in a high-temperature coating process in the spouted bed. It can be found that the pressure signals analysis is an effective method to monitor the fluidized state on-line in the coating process at high temperature up to 1600 °C.

Behavior of fission gases in nuclear fuel: XAS characterization of Kr in UO{sub 2}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Martin, P.M., E-mail: Philippe-m.martin@cea.fr [CEA, DEN, Cadarache DEC/SESC, F-13108 St-Paul-Lez-Durance Cedex (France); Vathonne, E.; Carlot, G.; Delorme, R.; Sabathier, C.; Freyss, M.; Garcia, P.; Bertolus, M. [CEA, DEN, Cadarache DEC/SESC, F-13108 St-Paul-Lez-Durance Cedex (France); Glatzel, P. [European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, 6 Rue Jules Horowitz, 38043 Grenoble (France); Proux, O. [OSUG, Observatoire des Sciences de l’Univers de Grenoble, CNRS and Université Joseph Fourier, BP 53, 38041 Grenoble Cedex 9 (France)

2015-11-15

X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) was used to study the behavior of krypton as a function of its concentration in UO{sub 2} samples implanted with Kr ions. For a 0.5 at.% krypton local concentration, by combining XAS results and DFT + U calculations, we show that without any thermal treatment Kr atoms are mainly incorporated in the UO{sub 2} lattice as single atoms inside a neutral bound Schottky defect with O vacancies aligned along the (100) direction (BSD1). A thermal treatment at 1273 K induces the precipitation of dense Kr nano-aggregates, most probably solid at room temperature. In addition, 26 ± 2% of the Kr atoms remain inside BSD1 showing that Kr-BSD1 complex is stable up to this temperature. Consequently, the (in-)solubility of krypton in UO{sub 2} has to be re-evaluated. For high Kr concentration (8 at.%), XAS signals show that Kr atoms have precipitated in nanometer-sized aggregates with internal densities ranging between 4.15(7) g cm{sup −3} and 3.98(5) g cm{sup −3} even after annealing at 873 K. By neglecting the effect due to the UO{sub 2} matrix, the corresponding krypton pressures at 300 K were equal to 2.6(3) GPa and 2.0(2) GPa, respectively. After annealing at 1673 K, regardless of the initial Kr concentration, a bi-modal distribution is observed with solid nano-aggregates even at room temperature and larger cavities only partially filled with Kr. These results are very close to those observed in UO{sub 2} fuel irradiated in reactor. In this study we show that a rare gas can be used as a probe to investigate the defect creation and their stability in UO{sub 2}.

Fission gas release from UO2 pellet fuel at high burn-up

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vitanza, C.; Kolstad, E.; Graziani, U.

1979-01-01

Analysis of in-reactor measurements of fuel center temperature and rod internal pressure at the OECD Halden Reactor Project has led to the development of an empirical fission gas release model, which is described. The model originally derived from data obtained in the low and intermediate burn-up range, appears to give good predictions for rods irradiated to high exposures as well. PIE puncturing data from seven fuel rods, operated at relatively constant powers and peak center temperatures between 1900 and 2000 0 C up to approx. 40,000 MWd/t UO 2 , did not exhibit any burn-up enhancement on the fission gas release rate

Irradiation experiments of recycled PuO2-UO2 fuels by SAXTON reactor, (1)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yumoto, Ryozo; Akutsu, Hideo

1975-01-01

Seventy two mixed oxide fuel rods made by PNC were irradiated in Saxton Core 3. This paper generally describes the fuel specifications, the power history of the fuel and the post-irradiation examination of the PNC fuel. The specifications of the 4.0 w/o and 5.0 w/o enriched PuO 2 fuel rods with zircaloy-4 cladding are presented in a table and a figure. The positions of PNC fuel rods in the Saxton reactor are shown in a figure. Sixty eight 5.0 w/o PuO 2 -UO 2 fuel rods were assembled in a 9 x 9 rod array together with zircaloy-4 bars, a flux thimble, and a Sb-Be source. The power history of the Saxton Core 3 and the irradiation history of the PNC fuel rods are summarized in tables. The peak power and burnup of each fuel rod and the axial power profile are also presented. The maximum linear power rate and burnup attained were 512W/cm and 8700 MWD/T, respectively. As for the post irradiation examination, the items of nondestructive test, destructive test, and cladding test are presented together with the working flow diagram of the examination. It is concluded that the performance of all fuel rods was safe and satisfactory throughout the power history. (Aoki, K.)

Nuclear fuel conversion and fabrication chemistry

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lerch, R.E.; Norman, R.E.

1984-01-01

Following irradiation and reprocessing of nuclear fuel, two operations are performed to prepare the fuel for subsequent reuse as fuel: fuel conversion, and fuel fabrication. These operations complete the classical nuclear fuel cycle. Fuel conversion involves generating a solid form suitable for fabrication into nuclear fuel. For plutonium based fuels, either a pure PuO 2 material or a mixed PuO 2 -UO 2 fuel material is generated. Several methods are available for preparation of the pure PuO 2 including: oxalate or peroxide precipitation; or direct denitration. Once the pure PuO 2 is formed, it is fabricated into fuel by mechanically blending it with ceramic grade UO 2 . The UO 2 can be prepared by several methods which include direct denitration. ADU precipitation, AUC precipitation, and peroxide precipitation. Alternatively, UO 2 -PuO 2 can be generated directly using coprecipitation, direct co-denitration, or gel sphere processes. In coprecipitation, uranium and plutonium are either precipitated as ammonium diuranate and plutonium hydroxide or as a mixture of ammonium uranyl-plutonyl carbonate, filtered and dried. In direct thermal denitration, solutions of uranium and plutonium nitrates are heated causing concentration and, subsequently, direct denitration. In gel sphere conversion, solutions of uranium and plutonium nitrate containing additives are formed into spherical droplets, gelled, washed and dried. Refabrication of these UO 3 -PuO 2 starting materials is accomplished by calcination-reduction to UO 2 -PuO 2 followed by pellet fabrication. (orig.)

PIE and separate effect test of high burnup UO2 fuel

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yang, Yong Sik; Kim, S.K.; Kim, D.H.

2005-01-01

To investigate the performance of a high burnup UO 2 fuel, the highest burnup fuel assembly in KOREA was transported to the PIE facility in KAERI. It was a 17·17 fuel assembly irradiated at the Ulchin Unit 2 PWR. The peak fuel rod average burnup was about 57MWd/kgU and locally 65MWd/kgU. The general PIE was performed to investigate the fuel rod irradiation performance. Fission gas release, burnup, oxide thickness, hydrogen pickup, CRUD, and density change were measured by destructive of non-destructive test. Microstructure change, bubble and pore size distributions were observed by optical microscopy, SEM and EPMA. All generated and available PIE results were used to verify high burnup fuel performance code INFRA. Several rods were cut for additional separate effect test. For the high burnup fission gas release behaviour analysis, annealing apparatus were developed and installed in hot cell and preliminary test was performed. In addition to current apparatus new induction furnace will be installed in hot cell to investigate the high temperature and transient fission gas release behaviour. Ring tensile test was performed to analyze the material property degradation which caused by the oxidation and hydride, and additional mechanical tests will be performed. (Author)

The creep of UO2 fuel doped with Nb2O5

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sawbridge, P.T.; Reynolds, G.L.; Burton, B.

1981-01-01

The creep of UO 2 containing small additions of Nb 2 O 5 has been investigated in the stress range 0.5-90 MN/m 2 at temperatures between 1422 and 1573 K. The functional dependence of the creep rate of five dopant concentrations up to 0.8 mol% Nb 2 O 5 has been examined and it was established that in all the materials the secondary creep rate could be represented by the equation epsilonkT = Asigmasup(n) exp(-Q/RT), where epsilon is the steady state creep rate per hour, Q the activation energy and A and n are constants for each material. It was observed that Nb 2 O 5 additions can cause a dramatic increase in the steady state creep rate as long as the niobium ion is maintainde in the Nb 5+ valence state. Material containing 0.4 mol% Nb 2 O 5 creeps three orders of magnitude faster than the pure material. Analysis of the results in terms of grain size compensated viscosity suggest that, like pure UO 2 , the creep rate of Nb 2 O 5 doped fuel is diffusion-controlled and proportional to the reciprocal square of the grain size. A model is developed which suggests that the increase in creep rate results from suppression of the U 5+ ion concentration by the addition of Nb 5+ ions, which modifies the crystal defect structure and hence the uranium ion diffusion coefficient. (orig.)

Analysis of flux standards in a fluized bed for AUC - UO2 convertion

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Juanico, L.E.; Clausse, A.; Guido Lavalle, G.

1990-01-01

One of the fuel cycle stages is the convertion (reduction) of ammonium uranyl carbonate (AUC) in UO 2 which, after being directly compacted, allows pellet obtainment acquire the correct density to be used as nuclear fuel during sintering. AUC's reduction in UO 2 is made on a fluidized bed in which AUC powder going into the upper part at a countercurrent to the gas flux (superheated steam), is converted into UO 2 ; after the reaction, UO 2 is collected at the lower part of the reactor. (Author) [es

Neutron Flux Depression in the UO2-PuO2 (15 to 30%) Fuel Rods from IVO-FR2-Vg7-Irradiation Experiment

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lopez Jimenez, J.; Fernandez Marron, J.L.

1983-01-01

The thermal-neutron flux depression within a fuel rod has a great influence in the radial temperature profile of the rod, especially for high enrichment fuel. For this reason, a study was made about the UO 2 -PUO 2 (15 to 30% PUO 2 ) fuel pins for the KfK-JEN joint irradiation program IVO, in the FR2 reactor. Different methods (diffusion, Bonalumi, successive generations) were compared and a new approach (parabolic approximation) was developed. (Author) 22 refs

Neutron flux depression in the UO2-PuO2 (15 to 30%) fuel rods from IVO-FR2-Vg7-Irradiation experiment

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lopez Jimenez, J.; Fernandez Marron, J.L.

1983-01-01

The thermal-neutron flux depression within a fuel rod has a great influence on the radial temperature profile of the rod, especially for high enrichment fuel. For this reason, a study was made about the UO 2 -PuO 2 (15 to 30% PuO 2 ) fuel pins for the KfK-JEN joint irradiation program IVO, in the FR2 reactor. Different methods (diffusion, Bonalumi, successive generations) were compared and a new approach (parabolic approximation) was developed. (author)

Nuclear fuels

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2008-01-01

The nuclear fuel is one of the key component of a nuclear reactor. Inside it, the fission reactions of heavy atoms, uranium and plutonium, take place. It is located in the core of the reactor, but also in the core of the whole nuclear system. Its design and properties influence the behaviour, the efficiency and the safety of the reactor. Even if it represents a weak share of the generated electricity cost, its proper use represents an important economic stake. Important improvements remain to be made to increase its residence time inside the reactor, to supply more energy, and to improve its robustness. Beyond the economical and safety considerations, strategical questions have to find an answer, like the use of plutonium, the management of resources and the management of nuclear wastes and real technological challenges have to be taken up. This monograph summarizes the existing knowledge about the nuclear fuel, its behaviour inside the reactor, its limits of use, and its R and D tracks. It illustrates also the researches in progress and presents some key results obtained recently. Content: 1 - Introduction; 2 - The fuel of water-cooled reactors: aspect, fabrication, behaviour of UO 2 and MOX fuels inside the reactor, behaviour in loss of tightness situation, microscopic morphology of fuel ceramics and evolution under irradiation - migration and localisation of fission products in UOX and MOX matrices, modeling of fuels behaviour - modeling of defects and fission products in the UO 2 ceramics by ab initio calculations, cladding and assembly materials, pellet-cladding interaction, advanced UO 2 and MOX ceramics, mechanical behaviour of the fuel assembly, fuel during a loss of coolant accident, fuel during a reactivity accident, fuel during a serious accident, fuel management inside reactor cores, fuel cycle materials balance, long-term behaviour of the spent fuel, fuel of boiling water reactors; 3 - the fuel of liquid metal fast reactors: fast neutrons radiation

Evaluation of the effective thermal conductivity of UO{sub 2} fuel by combining Potts model and finite difference method

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Oh, Jae-Yong, E-mail: tylor@kaeri.re.kr [Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Daedeok-daero 1045, Yuseong, Daejeon 305-353 (Korea, Republic of); Koo, Yang-Hyun; Lee, Byung-Ho; Tahk, Young-Wook [Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Daedeok-daero 1045, Yuseong, Daejeon 305-353 (Korea, Republic of)

2011-07-15

This paper evaluated the effects of porosity on the effective thermal conductivity of UO{sub 2} fuel by combining the Potts model and the finite difference method (FDM). Two types of microstructures representing irradiated UO{sub 2} microstructures were simulated by the Potts model in the three dimensional cubic system. One represented very small intragranular bubbles and a few intergranular bubbles under a low temperature condition. The other represented large intergranular bubbles under a high temperature or annealing condition. For the simulated microstructures, the effective thermal conductivities were determined by FDM calculation of the temperature distributions under steady state condition. They were compared with an experimental equation and the effect of bubble morphology was investigated by fitting a porosity shape factor in the Maxwell-Eucken equation. The simulation results showed a good agreement with an experimental equation and demonstrated the capability of the Potts model to provide information on microstructure for calculating the effective thermal conductivity of UO{sub 2} fuel.

Oxidation of UO2 at 150 to 3500C

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gilbert, E.R.; White, G.D.; Knox, C.A.

1985-02-01

Tests were performed on nonirradiated UO 2 pellets from 150 to 350 0 C in atmospheric air and controlled environments and on spent light-water reactor (LWR) fuel fragments at 200 and 230 0 C in atmospheric air to determine the variables that affect oxidation behavior under dry storage conditions. The weight of spent fragments increased 50 to 100 times faster than the weight of nonirradiated UO 2 pellets at 230 0 C. Non-irradiated pellet fragments gained weight 5 to 7 times faster than nonirradiated pellets. The fragments simulated fuel fragmented by thermal gradients during reactor power changes. Low-density powder (U 3 O 8 ) formed at 0.05 and 0.3% weight gain for nonirradiated pellets and fragments, respectively, but had not formed at 3% weight gain for spent fuel fragments with a burnup of 29,000 MWd/MTU. Canadian investigators had found that powder formed at intermediate levels of weight gain in CANDU spent fuel fragments with an approximate burnup of 8000 MWd/MTU. The combined effects of the high rate of weight gain in spent fuel and the burnup dependence of weight gain at powder formation resulted in a minimum in a plot of the time for the onset of powder formation versus burnup. The minimum in powder induction time occurs at or below burnup levels typical of CANDU spent fuel and spent fuel at the ends of some LWR rods. The results are described in terms of thermal and neutron irradiation-induced changes in UO 2 pellet structure and chemical composition. Other tests were performed at up to 275 0 C with spent fuel fragments and nonirradiated UO 2 pellets in moist nitrogen to determine the suitability of nitrogen as a cover gas. No measurable weight gain or visible physical changes occurred during the first 2 months of testing. 22 figures, 7 tables

Model for evolution of grain size in the rim region of high burnup UO{sub 2} fuel

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Xiao, Hongxing, E-mail: xiaohongxing2003@163.com; Long, Chongsheng; Chen, Hongsheng

2016-04-01

The restructuring process of the high burnup structure (HBS) formation in UO{sub 2} fuel results in sub-micron size grains that accelerate the fission gas swelling, which will raise some concern over the safety of extended the nuclear fuel operation life in the reactor. A mechanistic and engineering model for evolution of grain size in the rim region of high burnup UO{sub 2} fuel based on the experimental observations of the HBS in the literature is presented. The model takes into account dislocations evolution under irradiation and the grain subdivision occur successively at increasing local burnup. It is assumed that the original driving force for subdivision of grain in the HBS of UO{sub 2} fuel is the production and accumulation of dislocation loops during irradiation. The dislocation loops can also be annealed through thermal diffusion when the temperature is high enough. The capability of this model is validated by the comparison with the experimental data of temperature threshold of subdivision, dislocation density and sub-grain size as a function of local burnup. It is shown that the calculated results of the dislocation density and subdivided grain size as a function of local burnup are in good agreement with the experimental results. - Highlights: • A model for evolution of dislocation density and grain size in HBS is proposed. • The dislocation can also be annealed when the temperature is high enough. • Original driving force for subdivision is mostly accumulation of dislocation loops. • The temperature threshold of the subdivision is predicted at 1300–1400 K.

Physical and chemical characterization of the (Th, U)O2 mixed oxide fuel

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Santos, A.M.M. dos; Avelar, M.M.; Palmieri, H.E.L.; Lameiras, F.S.; Ferreira, R.A.N.

1986-01-01

The NUCLEBRAS R and D Center (Centro de Desenvolvimento da Tecnologia Nuclear - CDTN) has been performing, together with german institutions (Kernforschungsanlage Julich GmbH - KFA, Krafwerk Union A.G. - KWU and NUKEM GmbH), a program for utilization of thorium in pressurized water reactors. In this paper are presented the physical and chemical characterizations necessary to quality the (Th, U)O 2 fuel and the respective methods. (Author) [pt

Metallographic examination of (uth) O2 and UO2 fuel tested in power ramp conditions in triga reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ioncescu, M.; Uta, O.

2015-01-01

The purpose of this paper is to determine the behavior of two fuel experimental elements (EC1 and EC2), by destructive post-irradiation examination. The fuel elements were mounted inside a pattern port, one in extension of the other and irradiated in power ramp conditions in order to check their behavior. Fuel element 1 (EC1) contains (UTh)O''2 pellet, and other one (EC2) UO''2 pellet. The results of destructive post-irradiation examination are evidenced by metallographic and ceramographic analyses. The data obtained from the post-irradiation examinations are used, first to confirm the security, reliability and nuclear fuel performance, and second, for the development of CANDU fuel. The results obtained by destructive examinations regarding the integrity, sheath hydrating and oxidation as well as the structural modifications are typical for fuel elements tested in power ramp conditions. (authors)

Experimental evidence of oxygen thermo-migration in PWR UO{sub 2} fuels during power ramps using in-situ oxido-reduction indicators

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Riglet-Martial, Ch., E-mail: chantal.martial@cea.fr; Sercombe, J.; Lamontagne, J.; Noirot, J.; Roure, I.; Blay, T.; Desgranges, L.

2016-11-15

The present study describes the in-situ electrochemical modifications which affect irradiated PWR UO{sub 2} fuels in the course of a power ramp, by means of in-situ oxido-reduction indicators such as chromium or neo-formed chemical phases. It is shown that irradiated fuels (of nominal stoichiometry close to 2.000) under temperature gradient such as that occurring during high power transients are submitted to strong oxido-reduction perturbations, owing to radial migration of oxygen from the hot center to the cold periphery of the pellet. The oxygen redistribution, similar to that encountered in Sodium Fast Reactors fuels, induces a massive reduction/precipitation of the fission products Mo, Ru, Tc and Cr (if present) in the high temperature pellet section and the formation of highly oxidized neo-formed grey phases of U{sub 4}O{sub 9} type in its cold section, of lower temperature. The parameters governing the oxidation states of UO{sub 2} fuels under power ramps are finally debated from a cross-analysis of our results and other published information. The potential chemical benefits brought by oxido-reductive additives in UO{sub 2} fuel such as chromium oxide, in connection with their oxygen buffering properties, are discussed.

A study of UO2 wafer fuel for very high-power research reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hsieh, T.C.; Jankus, V.Z.; Rest, J.; Billone, M.C.

1983-01-01

The Reduced Enrichment Research and Test Reactor Program is aimed at reducing fuel enrichment to 2 caramel fuel is one of the most promising new types of reduced-enrichment fuel for use in research reactors with very high power density. Parametric studies have been carried out to determine the maximum specific power attainable without significant fission-gas release for UO 2 wafers ranging from 0.75 to 1.50 mm in thickness. The results indicate that (1) all the fuel designs considered in this study are predicted not to fail under full power operation up to a burnup, of 1.9x10 21 fis/cm 3 ; (2) for all fuel designs, failure is predicted at approximately the same fuel centerline temperature for a given burnup; (3) the thinner the wafer, the wider the margin for fuel specific power between normal operation and increased-power operation leading to fuel failure; (4) increasing the coolant pressure in the reactor core could improve fuel performance by maintaining the fuel at a higher power level without failure for a given burnup; and (5) for a given power level, fuel failure will occur earlier at a higher cladding surface temperature and/or under power-cycling conditions. (author)

Unirradiated UO2 in irradiated zirconium alloy sheathing

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

MacDonald, R.D.; Hardy, D.G.; Hunt, C.E.L.; Scoberg, J.A.

1979-07-01

Zircaloy-clad UO 2 fuel elements have defected in power reactors when element power outputs were raised significantly after a long irradiation at low power. We have irradiated fuel elements fabricated from fresh UO 2 pellets and zirconium alloy sheaths previously irradiated without fuel. This gave a fuel element with radiation-damaged low-ductility sheathing but with no fission products in the fuel. The elements were power boosted in-reactor to linear power outputs up to 84 kW/m for two five-day periods. No elements defected despite sheath strains of 0.82 percent at circumferential ridge postions. Half of these elements were subsequently soaked at low power to build up the fission product inventory in the fuel and then power boosted to 63 kW/m for a third time. Two elements defected on this final boost. We conclude that these defects were caused by fission product induced stress-corrosion cracking and that this mechanism plays an importent role in power reactor fuel defects. (auth)

Quality assurance and control in the manufacture of metalclad UO2 reactor fuels

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1976-01-01

The International Atomic Energy Agency has carried out a programme since its earliest days that includes the collection and dissemination of information on nuclear fuels. Since the 1960 symposium on Fuel Element Fabrication with Special Emphasis on Cladding Materials there has been an average of one meeting a year reviewing some aspect of fuel fabrication technology. A recent meeting dealing with the fabrication of UO 2 fuels was the Study Group on the Facilities and Technology needed for Nuclear Fuel Manufacture, held in Grenoble in 1972 (Rep. IAEA-158). After that meeting it became apparent that the quality of fuel production was an important aspect that had received inadequate coverage so far, and the Panel on Quality Assurance and Control in Nuclear Fuel Manufacture was convened by the Agency in Vienna in November 1974. In the working papers and discussions at the Panel meeting the viewpoints of different countries and of various interested parties, such as manufacturers, reactor operators and government authorities, were presented

Thermal and Mechanical Properties of UO2 and PuO2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kato, M.; Matsumoto, T.

2015-01-01

It is important to evaluate basic properties of UO 2 and PuO 2 as fundamental aspects of MA-bearing MOX fuel development. In this work, mechanical properties of UO 2 and PuO 2 were investigated by an ultrasound pulse-echo method. Longitudinal and transversal wave velocities were measured in UO 2 and PuO 2 pellets, and Young's modulus and shear modulus were evaluated, which were 219 MPa and 89 MPa for PuO 2 , and 249 MPa and 95 MPa for UO 2 , respectively. Poisson's ratio was 0.32 in both materials. The relationship between mechanical and thermal properties was described by using thermal expansion data which had been reported previously, and the heat capacity and thermal conductivity were analysed. (authors)

An evaluation of UO2-CNT composites made by SPS as an accident tolerant nuclear fuel pellet and the feasibility of SPS as an economical fabrication process for the nuclear fuel cycle

Science.gov (United States)

Cartas, Andrew R.

The innovative and advanced purpose of this study is to understand and establish proper sintering procedures for Spark Plasma Sintering process in order to fabricate high density, high thermal conductivity UO2 -CNT pellets. Mixing quality and chemical reactions have been investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), wavelength dispersive spectroscopy (WDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The effect of various types of CNTs on the mixing and sintering quality of UO2-CNT pellets with SPS processing have been examined. The Archimedes Immersion Method, laser flash method, and FE-SEM will be used to investigate the density, thermal conductivity, grain size, pinning effects, and CNT dispersion of fabricated UO2-CNT pellets. Pre-fabricated CNT's were added to UO 2 powder and dispersed via sonication and/or ball milling and then made into composite nuclear pellets. An investigation of the economic impact of SPS on the nuclear fuel cycle for producing pure and composite UO2 fuels was conducted.

Fabrication of ThO2 and ThO2-UO2 pellets for proliferation resistant fuels

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Matthews, R.B.; Davis, N.C.

1979-10-01

To meet this objective, batches of ThO 2 powders were compared and milling parameters, pressing and sintering conditions were established. A method for blending ThO 2 and UO 2 into homogeneous powders that press and sinter into 95% TD pellets was determined. The effect of UO 2 additions on ThO 2 -UO 2 pellet properties was determined and a process for fabricating irradiation test quality ThO 2 -20 wt% UO 2 pellets containing CaO as a dissolution aid was established

Production of nuclear ceramic fuel for nuclear power plants at 'Ulba metallurgical plant' OSC

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Khadeev, V.G.

2000-01-01

The paper describes the flow-sheet of production of uranium dioxide powders and nuclear ceramic fuel pellets of them existing at the facility. 'UMP' OSC applies ADU extraction process of UO2 powders production. An indisputable success of the process is the possibility of use of the wide range of raw materials. Uranium hexafluoride, uranium oxides, uranium metal, uranium tetrafluoride, uranyl salts, uranium ore concentrates, all possible types of uranium-containing materials the processing of which by routine methods is difficult (ashes, scraps, etc.) are used as the raw materials. In addition, a reprocessed nuclear fuel can be used for fuel production. The quality of uranium dioxide powder produced does not depend on the type of uranium raw material used. High selectivity of extraction refining makes possible to obtain material with rather low impurities content that meets practically all specifications for uranium dioxide known to us. Ceramic and process features of uranium dioxide powders, namely, specific surface, bulk density, grain size and sinterability make possible to produce nuclear ceramic fuel with specified features. Quality of uranium dioxide powders produced by 'UMP' OSC was highly rated by General Electric company that is one of the leading companies from fuel manufactures in the USA market . It has certified 'UMP' OSC as its supplier. Currently, our company makes great efforts on establishing production of uranium dioxide powders with natural isotopes content for production of fuel for CANDU reactors. Trial lots of such powders are under tests at some companies manufacturing fuel for this type reactors in Canada, USA and Corea

Cracking and healing behavior of UO2 as related to pellet-cladding mechanical interaction. Interim report, July 1976

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kennedy, C.R.; Yaggee, F.L.; Voglewede, J.C.; Kupperman, D.S.; Wrona, B.J.; Ellingson, W.A.; Johanson, E.; Evans, A.G.

1976-10-01

A direct-electrical-heating apparatus has been designed and fabricated to investigate those nuclear-fuel-related phenomena involved in the gap closure-bridging annulus formation mechanism that can be reproduced in an out-of-reactor environment. Prototypic light-water-reactor UO 2 fuel-pellet temperature profiles have been generated utilizing high flow rates (approximately 700 liters/min) of helium coolant gas, and a recirculating system has been fabricated to permit tests of up to 1000 h. Simulated light-water-reactor single- and multiple-thermal-cycle experiments will be conducted on both unclad and ceramic (fused silica) clad UO 2 pellet stacks. A laser dilatometer with a resolution of 1.27 x 10 -2 mm (5 x 10 -4 in.) is used to measure pellet dimensional increase continuously during thermal cycling. Acoustic emissions from thermal-gradient cracking have been detected and correlated with crack length and crack area. The acoustic emissions are monitored continuously to provide instantaneous information about thermal-gradient cracking. Posttest metallography and fracture-mechanics measurements are utilized to characterize cracking and crack healing

Analysis of neutron parameters in light water moderated lattices of ThO2 and UO2 fuel rods

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Onusic Junior, J.; Oosterkamp, W.J.

1977-01-01

A large number of light water moderated lattices of UO 2 and ThO 2 fuel rods were analyzed with the code HAMMER. The purpose of the study was to compare experimental results with computer calculated values. The model employed is described and some modification were introduced in the resonance parameters of Th-232 to increase the agreement with the experimental value [pt

The corrosion of spent UO2 fuel in synthetic groundwater

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Forsyth, R.S.; Werme, L.D.; Bruno, J.

1985-10-01

Leaching of high burnup BWR fuel for up to 3 years showed that both U and Pu attain saturation rapidly at pH 8.1, giving values of 1-2 mg/l and 1 μg/l respectively. The leaching rate for Sr-90 decreased from about 10 -5 /d to 10 -7 /d but was always higher than the rates for U, Pu, Cm, Ce, Eu and Ru. Congruent dissolution was only attained at pH values of about 4. When reducing conditions were imposed on the pH 8.1 groundwater by means of H 2 /Ar in the presence of a Pd catalyst, significanly lower leach rates were attained. The hypothesis that alpha radiolytic decomposition of water is a driving force for UO 2 corrosion even under reducing conditions has been examined in leaching tests on low burnup (low alpha dose-rate) fuel. No significant effect of alpha radiolysis under the experimental conditions was detected. Thermodynamically the calculated uranium solubilities in the pH range 4-8.2 generally agreed, well with the measured ones, although assumptions made for certain parameters in the calculations limit the validity of the results. (Author)

Thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of UO 2 fuel oxidation in air at 400-2000 K

Science.gov (United States)

Taylor, Peter

2005-09-01

Most nuclear fuel oxidation research has addressed either low-temperature (1500 K) steam oxidation linked to reactor safety. This paper attempts to unify modelling for air oxidation of UO 2 fuel over a wide range of temperature, and thus to assist future improvement of the ASTEC code, co-developed by IRSN and GRS. Phenomenological correlations for different temperature ranges distinguish between oxidation on the scale of individual grains to U 3O 7 and U 3O 8 below ˜700 K and individual fragments to U 3O 8 via UO 2+ x and/or U 4O 9 above ˜1200 K. Between about 700 and 1200 K, empirical oxidation rates slowly decline as the U 3O 8 product becomes coarser-grained and more coherent, and fragment-scale processes become important. A more mechanistic approach to high-temperature oxidation addresses questions of oxygen supply, surface reaction kinetics, thermodynamic properties, and solid-state oxygen diffusion. Experimental data are scarce, however, especially at low oxygen partial pressures and high temperatures.

Use of UO 2 films for electrochemical studies

Science.gov (United States)

Miserque, F.; Gouder, T.; Wegen, D. H.; Bottomley, P. D. W.

2001-10-01

UO 2 films have been prepared by dc reactive sputtering of a uranium metal target in an Ar/O 2 atmosphere. We have used the films deposited on gold substrates as working electrodes for electrochemical investigations as simulating the surfaces of fuel pellets. Film composition was determined by photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS and UPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The oxide stoichiometry as a function of deposition conditions was determined and the appropriate conditions for UO 2.0 formation established. AC impedance and cyclic voltammetry measurements were performed. A double RC electrical equivalent circuit was used to fit the data from impedance measurements, similar to those used in unirradiated UO 2 or spent fuel pellets. However due to the porosity or adhesion defects on the thin films that permitted a direct contact between the solution and the gold substrate, we were obliged to add a contribution simulating the water-gold system. Cyclic voltammetry measurements show the influence of pH on the dissolution mechanism. Alkaline solutions permit the formation of an oxidised layer (UO 2.33) which is not present in the acidic solutions. In both pH=2 and pH=6 solutions, a U VI species layer is formed.

FY2015 ceramic fuels development annual highlights

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mcclellan, Kenneth James [Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

2015-09-22

Key challenges for the Advanced Fuels Campaign are the development of fuel technologies to enable major increases in fuel performance (safety, reliability, power and burnup) beyond current technologies, and development of characterization methods and predictive fuel performance models to enable more efficient development and licensing of advanced fuels. Ceramic fuel development activities for fiscal year 2015 fell within the areas of 1) National and International Technical Integration, 2) Advanced Accident Tolerant Ceramic Fuel Development, 3) Advanced Techniques and Reference Materials Development, and 4) Fabrication of Enriched Ceramic Fuels. High uranium density fuels were the focus of the ceramic fuels efforts. Accomplishments for FY15 primarily reflect the prioritization of identification and assessment of new ceramic fuels for light water reactors which have enhanced accident tolerance while also maintaining or improving normal operation performance, and exploration of advanced post irradiation examination techniques which will support more efficient testing and qualification of new fuel systems.

FY2016 Ceramic Fuels Development Annual Highlights

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mcclellan, Kenneth James [Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

2017-01-24

Key challenges for the Advanced Fuels Campaign are the development of fuel technologies to enable major increases in fuel performance (safety, reliability, power and burnup) beyond current technologies, and development of characterization methods and predictive fuel performance models to enable more efficient development and licensing of advanced fuels. Ceramic fuel development activities for fiscal year 2016 fell within the areas of 1) National and International Technical Integration, 2) Advanced Accident Tolerant Ceramic Fuel Development, 3) Advanced Techniques and Reference Materials Development, and 4) Fabrication of Enriched Ceramic Fuels. High uranium density fuels were the focus of the ceramic fuels efforts. Accomplishments for FY16 primarily reflect the prioritization of identification and assessment of new ceramic fuels for light water reactors which have enhanced accident tolerance while also maintaining or improving normal operation performance, and exploration of advanced post irradiation examination techniques which will support more efficient testing and qualification of new fuel systems.

Enhancement of actinide incineration and transmutation rates in Ads EAP-80 reactor core with MOX PuO2 and UO2 fuel

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kaltcheva-Kouzminava, S.; Kuzminov, V.; Vecchi, M.

2001-01-01

Neutronics calculations of the accelerator driven reactor core EAP-80 with UO 2 and PuO 2 MOX fuel elements and Pb-Bi coolant are presented in this paper. Monte Carlo optimisation computations of several schemes of the EAP-80 core with different types of fuel assemblies containing burnable absorber B4 C or H 2 Zr zirconium hydride moderator were performed with the purpose to enhance the plutonium and actinide incineration rate. In the first scheme the reactor core contains burnable absorber B4 C arranged in the cladding of fuel elements with high enrichment of plutonium (up to 45%). In the second scheme H2 Zr zirconium hydride moderated zones were located in fuel elements with low enrichment (∼20%). In both schemes the incineration rate of plutonium is about two times higher than in the reference EAP-80 core and at the same time the power density distribution remains significantly unchanged compared to the reference core. A hybrid core containing two fuel zones one of which is the inner fuel region with UO 2 and PuO 2 high enrichment plutonium fuel and the second one is the outer region with fuel elements containing zirconium hydride layer was also considered. Evolution of neutronics parameters and actinide transmutation rates during the fuel burn-up is presented. Calculations were performed using the MCNP-4B code and the SCALE 4.3 computational system. (author)

Interactions in Zircaloy/UO2 fuel rod bundles with Inconel spacers at temperatures above 1200deg C (posttest results of severe fuel damage experiments CORA-2 and CORA-3)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hagen, S.; Hofmann, P.; Schanz, G.; Sepold, L.

1990-09-01

In the CORA experiments test bundles of usually 16 electrically heated fuel rod simulators and nine unheated rods are subjected to temperature transients of a slow heatup rate in a steam environment. Thus, an accident sequence is simulated, which may develop from a small-break loss-of-coolant accident of an LWR. An aim of CORA-2, as a first test of its kind, was also to gain experience in the test conduct and posttest handling of UO 2 specimens. CORA-3 was performed as a high-temperature test. The transient phases of CORA-2 and CORA-3 were initiated with a temperature ramp rate of 1 K/s. The temperature escalation due to the exothermal zircaloy(Zry)-steam reaction started at about 1000deg C, leading the bundles to maximum temperatures of 2000deg C and 2400deg C for tests CORA-2 and CORA-3, respectively. The test bundles resulted in severe oxidation and partial melting of the cladding, fuel dissolution by Zry/UO 2 interaction, complete Inconel spacer destruction, and relocation of melts and fragments to lower elevations in the bundle, where extended blockages have formed. In both tests the fuel rod destruction set in together with the formation of initial melts from the Inconel/Zry interaction. The lower Zry spacer acted as a catcher for relocated material. In test CORA-2 the UO 2 pellets partially disintegrated into fine particles. This powdering occurred during cooldown. There was no physical disintegration of fuel in test CORA-3. (orig./MM) [de

Simulations and Experimental Measurements of UO2 Thermal Conductivity

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Stanek, Christopher Richard; Gofryk, Krzysztof; Tonks, Michael; Andersson, Anders David Ragnar; Liu, Xiang-Yang; Lashley, Jason Charles; Uberuaga, Blas P.; Mcclellan, Kenneth James

2015-01-01

Spin-phonon interactions lead to low @@ of UO 2 (and behave like a defect), and this has implications for nuclear fuel performace. The inability to capture spin-phonon scattering leads to inherent errors. The interplay between magnetism and structural asymmetry in UO 2 displays rich physics. Grain boundary structure plays a role which must be taken into account.

A new UO2 sintering technology for the recycling of defective fuel pellets

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Song, K. W.; Kim, K. S.; Jeong, Y. H.

1998-01-01

A new UO 2 sintering technology to recycle defective UO 2 pellets has been developed. The defective UO 2 pellets were oxidized in an air to produce U 3 O 8 powder, and the U 3 O 8 powder was mixed with fresh AUC-UO 2 powder in the range of 10 to 100 wt%. Nb 2 O 5 and TiO 2 are added to the mixed powder. The mixed powder was pressed and sintered at 1680 deg C for 4 hours in hydrogen. The density of UO 2 pellets without sintering agents decreased linearly with the U 3 O 8 content at the rate of 0.2 %TD per 1 wt% U 3 O 8 , and the density was below 93.5 %TD at the U 3 O 8 contents above 10 wt%. However, the mixed UO 2 and U 3 O 8 powder containing Nb 2 O 5 (≥0.3 wt%) and TiO 2 (≥0.1 wt%) yielded a sintered density above 94 %TD in all ranges of U 3 O 8 contents. It was found that higher mixing ratios of U 3 O 8 to UO 2 powder did not affect the grain size of UO 2 pellets under the addition of Nb 2 O 5 , but decreased the grain size of UO 2 pellets under the addition of TiO 2 . The doped UO 2 pellets have grain sizes larger than 20 μm, and have small density gain after re-sintering test, owing to large pores. Therefore, the sintering agents such as Nb 2 O 5 and TiO 2 can make highly densified UO 2 pellets from the powder comprising a large amount of U 3 O 8 powder

Improvement of fuel-element reliability by insertion of UO2 microspheres in the gap between pellet and clad

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mehedinteanu, S.; Glodeanu, F.; Dobos, I.

1979-01-01

With the accumulation of power reactor fuel operating experience, the study of the PCI phenomenon and the development of remedies have become important items in fuel research and development everywhere. The 'power-ramp' failure has drawn attention to the problem of obtaining high reliability from high burn-up fuel rods. Considerable attention has been paid to minimizing the cladding stresses imparted by fuel pellets during the power ramp. The paper describes a new concept of pellet-clad bonding by insertion of UO 2 microspheres in the gap. It is pointed out that the main advantages of this concept are: the low friction coefficient between pellet and clad; the accomodation of cracked pellet expansion by local microyielding of irradiation-embrittled clad; the reduced ridge height by use of undished pellets or other pellet shape; that the fine-sized UO 2 microspheres infiltrate around the pellets thus permitting the use of cracked or chipped pellets and also sintered pellets without the previously required grinding step needed for accurate sizing, etc. (author)

Radiation effects in glass and glass-ceramic waste forms for the immobilization of CANDU UO2 fuel reprocessing waste

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tait, J.C.

1993-05-01

AECL has investigated three waste forms for the immobilization of high-level liquid wastes that would arise if used CANDU fuels were reprocessed at some time in the future to remove fissile materials for the fabrication of new power reactor fuel. These waste forms are borosilicate glasses, aluminosilicate glasses and titanosilicate glass-ceramics. This report discusses the potential effects of alpha, beta and gamma radiation on the releases of radionuclides from these waste forms as a result of aqueous corrosion by groundwaters that would be present in an underground waste disposal vault. The report discusses solid-state damage caused by radiation-induced atomic displacements in the waste forms as well as irradiation of groundwater solutions (radiolysis), and their potential effects on waste-form corrosion and radionuclide release. The current literature on radiation effects on borosilicate glasses and in ceramics is briefly reviewed, as are potential radiation effects on specialized waste forms for the immobilization of 129 I, 85 Kr and 14 C. (author). 104 refs., 9 tabs., 5 figs

Interaction between UO2 kernel and pyrocarbon coating in irradiated and unirradiated HTR fuel particles

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Drago, A.; Klersy, R.; Simoni, O.; Schrader, K.H.

1975-08-01

Experimental observations on unidirectional UO 2 kernel migration in TRISO type coated particle fuels are reported. An analysis of the experimental results on the basis of data and models from the literature is reported. The stoichiometric composition of the kernel is considered the main parameter that, associated with a temperature gradient, controls the unidirectional kernel migration

Deformation behavior of UO2 at temperatures above 24000C

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Slagle, O.D.

1978-08-01

An experimental system was developed for measuring the high-temperature creep rates of ceramic nuclear fuels to temperatures near their melting points. The results of a series of experiments carried out on UO 2 at temperatures above 2400 0 C are reported. The strain rate was found to be proportional to the 5.7 power of the stress while activation energies ranged from 250 to 340 Kcal/mole. An expression for describing the primary creep was derived from the initial time dependence of the deformation after stress application. A technique for studying the hot pressing behavior at 2580 0 C was devised but no definitive results were obtained from the first series of experiments. An empirical relationship is proposed for calculating the creep rates at very high temperatures

Irradiation of defected SAP clad UO2 fuel in the X-7 organic loop

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Robertson, R.F.S.; Cracknell, A.G.; MacDonald, R.D.

1961-10-01

This report describes an experiment designed to test the behaviour under irradiation of a UO 2 fuel specimen clad in a defected SAP sheath and cooled by recirculating organic liquid. The specimen containing the defect was irradiated in the X-7 loop in the NRX reactor from the 25th of November until the 13th of December 1960. Up to the 13th of December the behaviour was analogous to that seen with defected UO 2 specimens clad in zircaloy which were irradiated in water loops. Reactor power transients resulted in peaking of gamma ray activities in the loop, but on steady operation these activities tended to fall to a steady state level, Over this period the pressure drop across the fuel increased by a factor of two, the increases occurring after reactor shut downs and start ups. On 13th December the pressure drop increased rapidly, after a reactor shut down and start up, to over five times its original value and the activities in the loop rose to a high level. The specimen was removed and examination showed that the sheath was very badly split and that the volume between the fuel and the sheath was filled with a hard black organic substance. This report gives full details of the irradiation and of the post -irradiation examination. Correlation of the observed phenomenon is attempted and a preliminary assessment of the problems which would be associated with defect fuel in an organic reactor is given. (author)

UO2-7%Gd2O3 fuel process development by mechanical blending with reprocessing of waste products and usage of densification additive

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Santos, Lauro Roberto dos

2009-01-01

In the nuclear fuel cycle, reprocessing and storage of 'burned' fuels, either temporary or permanent, demand high investments and, in addition, can potentially generate environmental problems. A strategy to decrease these problems is to adopt measures to reduce the amount of waste generated. The usage of integrated burnable poison based on gadolinium is a measure that contributes to achieve this goal. The reason to use burnable poison is to control the neutron population in the reactor during the early life of the fresh reactor core or the beginning of each recharging fuel cycle, extending its cycle duration. Another advantage of using burnable poison is to be able to operate the reactor with higher burning rate, optimizing the usage of the fuel. The process of manufacturing UO 2 -Gd 2 O 3 integrated burnable fuel poison generates waste that, as much as possible, needs to be recycled. Blending of Gd 2 O 3 in UO 2 powder requires the usage of a special additive to achieve the final fuel pellet specified density. The objective of this work is to develop the process of obtaining UO 2 - 7% Gd 2 O 3 integrated burnable poison using densification additives, aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)3), and reprocessing manufacturing waste products by mechanical blending. The content of 7%- Gd 2 O 3 is based on commercial PWR reactor fuels - Type Angra 2. The results show that the usage of Al(OH) 3 as an additive is a very effective choice that promotes the densification of fuel pellets with recycle up to 10%. Concentrations of 0,20 % of Al(OH) 3 were found to be the indicated amount on an 7 industrial scale, specially when the recycled products come from U 3 O 8 obtained by calcination of sintered pellets. This is particularly interesting because it is following the steps of sintering and rectifying of the pellets, which is generating the largest amounts of recycled material. (author)

UO2-7%Gd2O3 fuel process development by mechanical blending with reprocessing of waste products and usage of densification additive

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Santos, Lauro Roberto dos

2009-01-01

In the nuclear fuel cycle, reprocessing and storage of 'burned' fuels, either temporary or permanent, demand high investments and, in addition, can potentially generate environmental problems. A strategy to decrease these problems is to adopt measures to reduce the amount of waste generated. The usage of integrated burnable poison based on gadolinium is a measure that contributes to achieve this goal. The reason to use burnable poison is to control the neutron population in the reactor during the early life of the fresh reactor core or the beginning of each recharging fuel cycle, extending its cycle duration. Another advantage of using burnable poison is to be able to operate the reactor with higher burning rate, optimizing the usage of the fuel. The process of manufacturing UO 2 -Gd 2 O 3 integrated burnable fuel poison generates waste that, as much as possible, needs to be recycled. Blending of Gd 2 O 3 in UO 2 powder requires the usage of a special additive to achieve the final fuel pellet specified density. The objective of this work is to develop the process of obtaining UO 2 - 7% Gd 2 O 3 integrated burnable poison using densification additives, aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH) 3 ), and reprocessing manufacturing waste products by mechanical blending. The content of 7%- Gd 2 O 3 is based on commercial PWR reactor fuels - Type Angra 2. The results show that the usage of Al(OH) 3 as an additive is a very effective choice that promotes the densification of fuel pellets with recycle up to 10%. Concentrations of 0,20 % of Al(OH) 3 were found to be the indicated amount on an industrial scale, specially when the recycled products come from U 3 O 8 obtained by calcination of sintered pellets. This is particularly interesting because it is following the steps of sintering and rectifying of the pellets, which is generating the largest amounts of recycled material. (author)

Development of UO2-30 WT per cent PuO2 fuel for FBTR

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Majumdar, S.; Kumar, Arun; Kamath, H.S.; Ramachandran, R.; Purushotham, D.S.C.; Roy, P.R.

1983-01-01

The specifications on Fast Breeder Reactor (FBTR) fuel pellets have two apparently contradictory requirements viz. (1) formation of homogeneous solid between UO 2 and PuO 2 which can only be achieved by high temperature sintering and (2) density of sintered pellets in the range of 92 ± 1 per cent T.D. which is normally achieved by low temperature sintering. Deactivation of starting powders under CO 2 or addition of volatile pore formers to the powders are the two methods which have been developed for lowering the denity of the pellets without reducing the sintering temperature. Two alternative fabrication routes utilizing these processes for manufacturing of FBTR pellets are described in this report. (author)

The effect of dissolved hydrogen on the dissolution of {sup 233}U doped UO{sub 2}(s) high burn-up spent fuel and MOX fuel

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Carbol, P. [Inst. for Transuranium Elements, Karlsruhe (Germany); Spahiu, K. (ed.) [and others

2005-03-01

In this report the results of the experimental work carried out in a large EU-research project (SFS, 2001-2004) on spent fuel stability in the presence of various amounts of near field hydrogen are presented. Studies of the dissolution of {sup 233}U doped UO{sub 2}(s) simulating 'old' spent fuel were carried out as static leaching tests, autoclave tests with various hydrogen concentrations and electrochemical tests. The results of the leaching behaviour of a high burn-up spent fuel pellet in 5 M NaCl solutions in the presence of 3.2 bar H{sub 2} pressure and of MOX fuel in dilute synthetic groundwater under 53 bar H{sub 2} pressure are also presented. In all the experimental studies carried out in this project, a considerable effect of hydrogen in the dissolution rates of radioactive materials was observed. The experimental results obtained in this project with a-doped UO{sub 2}, high burn-up spent fuel and MOX fuel together with literature data give a reliable background to use fractional alteration/dissolution rates for spent fuel of the order of 10{sup -6}/yr - 10{sup -8}/yr with a recommended value of 4x10{sup -7}/yr for dissolved hydrogen concentrations above 10{sup -3} M and Fe(II) concentrations typical for European repository concepts. Finally, based on a review of the experimental data and available literature data, potential mechanisms of the hydrogen effect are also discussed. The work reported in this document was performed as part of the Project SFS of the European Commission 5th Framework Programme under contract no FIKW-CT-2001-20192 SFS. It represents the deliverable D10 of the experimental work package 'Key experiments using a-doped UO{sub 2} and real spent fuel', coordinated by SKB with the participation of ITU, FZK-INE, ENRESA, CIEMAT, ARMINES-SUBATECH and SKB.

The effect of dissolved hydrogen on the dissolution of {sup 233}U doped UO{sub 2}(s) high burn-up spent fuel and MOX fuel

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Carbol, P [Inst. for Transuranium Elements, Karlsruhe (Germany); Spahiu, K [and others

2005-03-01

In this report the results of the experimental work carried out in a large EU-research project (SFS, 2001-2004) on spent fuel stability in the presence of various amounts of near field hydrogen are presented. Studies of the dissolution of {sup 233}U doped UO{sub 2}(s) simulating 'old' spent fuel were carried out as static leaching tests, autoclave tests with various hydrogen concentrations and electrochemical tests. The results of the leaching behaviour of a high burn-up spent fuel pellet in 5 M NaCl solutions in the presence of 3.2 bar H{sub 2} pressure and of MOX fuel in dilute synthetic groundwater under 53 bar H{sub 2} pressure are also presented. In all the experimental studies carried out in this project, a considerable effect of hydrogen in the dissolution rates of radioactive materials was observed. The experimental results obtained in this project with a-doped UO{sub 2}, high burn-up spent fuel and MOX fuel together with literature data give a reliable background to use fractional alteration/dissolution rates for spent fuel of the order of 10{sup -6}/yr - 10{sup -8}/yr with a recommended value of 4x10{sup -7}/yr for dissolved hydrogen concentrations above 10{sup -3} M and Fe(II) concentrations typical for European repository concepts. Finally, based on a review of the experimental data and available literature data, potential mechanisms of the hydrogen effect are also discussed. The work reported in this document was performed as part of the Project SFS of the European Commission 5th Framework Programme under contract no FIKW-CT-2001-20192 SFS. It represents the deliverable D10 of the experimental work package 'Key experiments using a-doped UO{sub 2} and real spent fuel', coordinated by SKB with the participation of ITU, FZK-INE, ENRESA, CIEMAT, ARMINES-SUBATECH and SKB.

Dissolution kinetics of UO2: Flow-through tests on UO2.00 pellets and polycrystalline schoepite samples in oxygenated, carbonate/bicarbonate buffer solutions at 25 degree C

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nguyen, S.N.; Weed, H.C.; Leider, H.R.; Stout, R.B.

1991-10-01

The modelling of radionuclide release from waste forms is an important part of the performance assessment of a potential, high-level radioactive waste repository. Since spent fuel consists of UO 2 containing actinide elements and other fission products, it is necessary to determine the principal parameters affecting UO 2 dissolution and quantify their effects on the dissolution rate before any prediction of long term release rates of radionuclides from the spent fuel can be made. As part of a complex matrix to determine the dissolution kinetics of UO 2 as a function of time, pH, carbonate/bicarbonate concentration and oxygen activity, we have measured the dissolution rates at 25 degrees C of: (1) UO 2 pellets; (2) UO 2.00 powder and (3) synthetic dehydrated schoepite, UO 3 .H 2 O using a single-pass flow through system in an argon-atmosphere glove box. Carbonate, carbonate/bicarbonate, and bicarbonate buffers with concentrations ranging from 0.0002 M to 0.02 M and pH values form 8 to 11 have been used. Argon gas mixtures containing oxygen (from 0.002 to 0.2 atm) and carbon dioxide (from 0 to 0.011 atm) were bubbled through the buffers to stabilize their pH values. 12 refs., 2 tabs

Thermal expansion of ThO2-2 wt% UO2 by HT-XRD

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tyagi, A.K.; Mathews, M.D.

2000-01-01

The linear thermal expansion of polycrystalline ThO 2 -2 wt% UO 2 has been investigated from room temperature to 1473 K in flowing helium atmosphere using high temperature X-ray diffractometry. ThO 2 -2 wt% UO 2 shows a marginally higher linear thermal expansion as compared to pure ThO 2 . The average linear and volume thermal expansion coefficients of ThO 2 -2 wt% UO 2 are found to be α-bar a =9.74x10 -6 K -1 and α-bar v =29.52x10 -6 K -1 (298-1473 K). This study will be useful in designing the nuclear reactor fuel assembly based on ThO 2

Heat transfer coefficient between UO2 and Zircaloy-2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ross, A.M.; Stoute, R.L.

1962-06-01

This paper provides some experimental values of the heat-transfer coefficient between UO 2 and Zircaloy-2 surfaces in contact under conditions of interfacial pressure, temperature, surface roughness and interface atmosphere, that are relevant to UO 2 /Zircaloy-2 fuel elements operating in pressurized-water power reactors. Coefficients were obtained from eight UO 2 / Zircaloy-2 pairs in atmospheres of helium, argon, krypton or xenon, at atmosphere pressure and in vacuum. Interfacial pressures were varied from 50 to 550 kgf/cm 2 while surface roughness heights were in the range 0.2 x 10 -4 to 3.5 x 10 -4 cm. The effect on the coefficients of cycling the interfacial pressure, of interface gas pressure and of temperature were examined. The experimental values of the coefficients were used to test the predictions of expressions for the heat-transfer between two solids in contact. For the particular UO 2 / Zircaloy-2 pairs examined, numerical values were assigned to several parameters that related the surface roughnesses to either the radius of solid/solid contact spots or to the mean thickness of the interface voids and that accounted for the imperfect accommodation of the void gas on the test surfaces. (author)

Effect of alpha irradiation on UO2 surface reactivity in aqueous media

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Jegou, C.; Muzeau, B.; Broudic, V.; Poulesquen, A.; Roudil, D.; Jorion, F.; Corbel, C.

2005-01-01

The option of direct disposal of spent nuclear fuel in a deep geological formation raises the need to investigate the long-term behavior of the UO 2 matrix in aqueous media subjected to α-β-γ radiation. The β-γ emitters account for most of the activity of spent fuel at the moment it is removed from the reactor, but diminish within a millennial time frame by over three orders of magnitude to less than the long-term activity. The latter persists over much longer time periods and must therefore be taken into account over a geological disposal time scale. Leaching experiments with solution renewal were carried out on UO 2 pellets doped with alpha emitters ( 238 Pu and 239 Pu) to quantify the impact of alpha irradiation on UO 2 matrix alteration. Three batches of doped UO 2 pellets with different alpha flux levels (3.30 x 10 4 , 3.30 x 10 5 , and 3.2 x 10 6 α cm -2 s -1 ) were studied. The results obtained in aerated and deaerated media immediately after sample annealing or interim storage in air provide a better understanding of the UO 2 matrix alteration mechanisms under alpha irradiation. Interim storage in air of UO 2 pellets doped with alpha emitters results in variations of the UO 2 surface reactivity, which depends on the alpha particle flux at the interface and on the interim storage duration. The variation in the surface reactivity and the greater uranium release following interim storage cannot be attributed to the effect of alpha radiolysis in aerated media since the uranium release tends toward the same value after several leaching cycles for the doped UO 2 pellet batches and spent fuel. Oxygen diffusion enhanced by alpha irradiation of the extreme surface layer and/or radiolysis of the air could account for the oxidation of the surface UO 2 to UO 2+x . However, leaching experiments performed in deaerated media after annealing the samples and preleaching the surface suggest that alpha radiolysis does indeed affect the dissolution, which varies with the

The influence of moisture on air oxidation of UO2: Calculations and observations

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Taylor, P.; Lemire, R.J.; Wood, D.D.

1993-01-01

Phase relationships among solids in the UO 2 -O 2 -H 2 O system at 25, 100, and 200C and pressures to 2 MPa have been calculated from critically evaluated thermodynamic data. Stability limits of the solids are expressed in terms of oxygen and water partial pressures at each temperature. The results are then discussed in terms of known UO 2 oxidation reactions and uranium mineralogy. Particular attention is paid to UO 3 hydrates, some of which are shown to be stable phases in air at very low relative humidities (down to ∼0.1% at 25C). This is relevant to fuel storage because of the very high molar volumes of these phases, relative to UO 2 , and consequent potential for damage to defected fuel assemblies. Comparison of the calculated phase relationships with observed UO 2 oxidation behavior helps to identify those phase interconversions that are kinetically constrained

Simulation of reactivity-initiated accident transients on UO2-M5® fuel rods with ALCYONE V1.4 fuel performance code

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Isabelle Guénot-Delahaie

2018-03-01

Full Text Available The ALCYONE multidimensional fuel performance code codeveloped by the CEA, EDF, and AREVA NP within the PLEIADES software environment models the behavior of fuel rods during irradiation in commercial pressurized water reactors (PWRs, power ramps in experimental reactors, or accidental conditions such as loss of coolant accidents or reactivity-initiated accidents (RIAs. As regards the latter case of transient in particular, ALCYONE is intended to predictively simulate the response of a fuel rod by taking account of mechanisms in a way that models the physics as closely as possible, encompassing all possible stages of the transient as well as various fuel/cladding material types and irradiation conditions of interest. On the way to complying with these objectives, ALCYONE development and validation shall include tests on PWR-UO2 fuel rods with advanced claddings such as M5® under “low pressure–low temperature” or “high pressure–high temperature” water coolant conditions.This article first presents ALCYONE V1.4 RIA-related features and modeling. It especially focuses on recent developments dedicated on the one hand to nonsteady water heat and mass transport and on the other hand to the modeling of grain boundary cracking-induced fission gas release and swelling. This article then compares some simulations of RIA transients performed on UO2-M5® fuel rods in flowing sodium or stagnant water coolant conditions to the relevant experimental results gained from tests performed in either the French CABRI or the Japanese NSRR nuclear transient reactor facilities. It shows in particular to what extent ALCYONE—starting from base irradiation conditions it itself computes—is currently able to handle both the first stage of the transient, namely the pellet-cladding mechanical interaction phase, and the second stage of the transient, should a boiling crisis occur.Areas of improvement are finally discussed with a view to simulating and

Structure changes of irradiated UO2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Komatsu, Junji; Yokouchi, Yoji; Kajiyama, Takashi; Terunuma, Toshihiro; Koizumi, Masumichi

1973-01-01

The structural change of UO 2 irradiated in GETR reactor was analyzed on void distribution, fuel cracking, and gap conductance between fuel and cladding. Metallographic analysis was carried out on 21 sections of irradiated fuel pins. Radial void distribution was measured by the linear analysis technique based on the equivalence between the volume fraction of voids and the intercepted length of lines between void boundaries. Fuel cracks were classified into two types, namely radial cracks and circumferential cracks. The radial position, length, angle and number of each fuel clad were measured on metallographic section and autoradiography. The gap conductance between fuel and cladding was calculated from the equation h = q/(T sub(s) - T sub(i)) where h is gap conductance, T sub(i) is inside clad temperature and T sub(s) is outside clad temperature. In void distribution, as the result of studying the effect of linear heat rating on the radial void fraction of UO 2 fuel irradiated with the similar level of burnup, one specimen showed that the void fraction of columnar grain growth region was comparable to that of fabricated region, and two specimens showed higher void fraction at fabricated region than the calculated one. In fuel cladding, no significant effect of burnup on fuel cracking was observed, and the number of fuel cracking increased with shutdown or scram numbers, but the radial position of circumferential cracks was not much changed. In gap conductance, it was influenced by the estimation of temperature of columnar grain growth. (Iwakiri, K.)

Review of the effects of burnup on the thermal conductivity of UO2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lokken, R.O.; Courtright, E.L.

1976-01-01

The general trends which relate changes in thermal conductivity of UO 2 fuel as a function of temperature and burnup can be summarized as follows: (1) At temperatures below 500 0 C, reductions in UO 2 thermal conductivity relative to the unirradiated values can be expected up to a saturation level of approximately 10 19 fissions/cc. (2) At temperatures above 500 0 C, the thermal conductivity will undergo little change at low burnups, (less than 10 19 fissions/cc) but at higher exposures some decrease can be expected which should, in turn, diminish with increasing temperature. (3) A review of the data reported by Berman on the ThO 2 --UO 2 fuel indicates that the basic behavior is the same as for UO 2 in the temperature range of major interest. The applicability of this data to LWR UO 2 fuel is somewhat questionable because of basic physical property differences, and limited data on irradiation effects, and would not seem to support concerns that the effects of burnup on thermal conductivity for LWR fuel may be of more significance than currently believed. (4) A mathematical expression of the type proposed by Daniel and Cohen seems to provide a reasonable approximation for the behavioral trends reported in the literature which relate changes in thermal conductivity to increasing burnup in certain temperature regimes. Calculations indicate that only small incremental increases in the fuel centerline temperature might be expected if burnup effects are taken into account

Correlation between UO2 powder and pellet quality in PHWR fuel manufacturing

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Glodeanu, F.; Spinzi, M.; Balan, V.

1988-01-01

Natural uranium dioxide fuel for heavy water reactors has a series of very tightly controlled quality factors: Chemical purity, density and microstructures. Although the fabrication history may consistently affect the fuel quality, the quality factor mentioned above are function mainly of the quality of the powder used as raw material. As regards the fulfilment of the requirements for very high density of the pellets, it was found that in a definite technology the raw material plays the decisive part. Except for the powder sinterability, one found other important subtile parameters, such as the degree of agglomeration and structural homogeneity. The fuel microstructure, very important for in-serive performances of the fuel, is related to a great extent to some powder characteristics (homogeneity, sinterability). This is why much stress was laid on UO 2 power quality evaluation both by standard methods and non-conventional ones (agglomeration, microscopy, X-rays). Some of the characteristics defined by product specification, such as powder sinterability, should be better defined to guarantee the final product quality. (orig.)

On possible mechanisms of rim-layer formation in the high-burnup UO2 fuel

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zborovskii, V.; Likhanskii, V.

2006-01-01

Two models determining threshold conditions for onset of UO 2 fuel restructuring are developed. In the first model the conditions for fuel restructuring are related with development of the Kinoshita instability. The second model is based upon attainment of critical values by radius of over pressurised bubbles. Possibility of large bubbles formation on dislocation lines is considered with account of Xe atoms drift in the field of mechanical strain of dislocation and irradiation-induced Xe drift in vacancy concentration gradient. Computer simulations of behaviour of point defects and Xe atoms near dislocation core are carried out, results are compared with experimental data. The computer program is developed which consistently calculates point defects and Xe atoms distributions inside fuel grain with account of their behaviour near dislocation core

Thermal reactions of uranium metal, UO 2, U 3O 8, UF 4, and UO 2F 2 with NF 3 to produce UF 6

Science.gov (United States)

McNamara, Bruce; Scheele, Randall; Kozelisky, Anne; Edwards, Matthew

2009-11-01

This paper demonstrates that NF 3 fluorinates uranium metal, UO 2, UF 4, UO 3, U 3O 8, and UO 2F 2·2H 2O to produce the volatile UF 6 at temperatures between 100 and 550 °C. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis reaction profiles are described that reflect changes in the uranium fluorination/oxidation state, physiochemical effects, and instances of discrete chemical speciation. Large differences in the onset temperatures for each system investigated implicate changes in mode of the NF 3 gas-solid surface interaction. These studies also demonstrate that NF 3 is a potential replacement fluorinating agent in the existing nuclear fuel cycle and in actinide volatility reprocessing.

PECITIS-II, a computer program to predict the performance of collapsible clad UO2 fuel elements

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Anand, A.K.; Anantharaman, K.; Sarda, V.

1978-01-01

The Indian power programme envisages the use of PHWRs, which use collapsible clad UO 2 fuel elements. A computer code, PECITIS-II, developed for the analysis of this type of fuel is described in detail. The sheath strain and fission gas pressure are evaluated by this method. The pellet clad gap conductance is calculated by Ross and Solute model. The pellet thermal expansion is calculated by assuming a two zone model, i.e. a plastic core surrounded by an elastic cracked annulus. (author)

Spectral shift controlled reactor, UO2 once-through cycle optimized

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1978-05-01

This paper presents technical and economic data on the SSCR which may be of use in the International Fuel Cycle Evaluation Program to intercompare alternative nuclear systems. Included in this data is information on the optimized UO 2 once-through fuel cycle. The ''optimized'' cycle refers to a UO 2 once-through cycle which has better fuel resource utilization than the conventional UO 2 cycle employed in current design PWRs. This fuel cycle uses more in-core batches and a higher discharge exposure than current PWR fuel management schemes. The proposed cycle is not optimal in a mathematical sense, however, since additional resource savings can be obtained if the discharge exposure is extended to even higher values and the number of in-core fuel batches is increased further. The present cycle was selected as ''optimal'' based on the assumption that it can be achieved with only an extension of fuel design technology and can therefore be deployed in a relatively short time frame. In the longer term, modification to reactor geometry as well as further extensions of discharge burnup might be considered to realize additional reduction in uranium resource requirements. The data contained in this paper has been developed by an ongoing program which at the present time is only 50% complete. The data presented here should therefore be considered preliminary and will be updated in the future as required

Effect of TiO2 additive on the sintering of nuclear fuel (U,Pu)O2. Contribution of surface diffusion to plutonium distribution

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bremier, Stephane

1997-01-01

This thesis has as objective the study of the effect of TiO 2 additive on the development of MOX fuel microstructure during sintering in reducing atmosphere. To understand better the mechanisms governing the evolution of microstructure, the behavior of UO 2 in the presence of TiO 2 has been established and the influence of the PuO 2 distribution in the initial state of the material was taken into account. The chapter II is devoted to the bibliographic study of the transport mechanisms responsible of the sintering in the ceramics UO 2 and UO 2 -PuO 2 . The results concerning the influence of TiO 2 upon density, grain size and homogenization are discussed. The following chapter describes the characteristics of initial powder, the procedures and installations of heat treatment, as well as the techniques of characterization used. Then the sintering features of UO 2 alone or in the presence of TiO 2 are presented. It appears that in the last case the surface diffusion becomes sufficient fast so that the distribution of the additive occurs naturally during a slow temperature increase. The fifth chapter treats the effect of UO 2 -PuO 2 preparation upon the initial microstructure of the materials and the role played by the PuO 2 grains in sintering. The potentiality of surface diffusion as a means of PuO 2 spreading in the UO 2 is evaluated and correlated with the reduced capacity of sintering the UO 2 ceramics containing PuO 2 . The last chapter deals with the influence of TiO 2 on the development of microstructure in UO 2 -PuO 2 ceramics. While at temperatures below 1500 deg.C the TiO 2 additive affects the surface diffusion and so the plutonium distribution, at values T≥ 1600 deg.C the additive gives rise to a dissolution-reprecipitation process taking place in a intergranular liquid phase appeared between UO 2 , PuO 2 and titanium oxide. Thus the objective is the optimizing the temperature conditions, the oxygen potential as sintering gas and the additive

Experimental simulation of irradiation effects on thermomechanical behaviour of UO2 fuel: Impact of solid and gaseous fission products

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Balland, J.

2007-12-01

Predictive simulation of thermomechanical behaviour of nuclear fuel has to take into account irradiation effects. Fission Products (FP) can modify the thermomechanical behaviour of UO 2 . During this thesis, differentiation was made between fission products which create a solid solution with UO 2 and gaseous products, generating pressurized bubbles. SIMFUELS containing gadolinium oxide and pressurized argon bubbles were manufactured, respectively by conventional process and by Gas Pressure Sintering. Brittle and ductile behaviour of UO 2 was investigated, under experimental conditions representative of Pellet-Cladding Interaction (PCI), respectively with 3 points bending tests and compressive creep tests. Investigation of brittle behaviour of UO 2 showed that fracture is mainly controlled by natural defects, like porosities, acting like starting points for cracks propagation. Addition of simulates fission products increase the brittle-to-ductile transition temperature of UO 2 , up to 400-500 C regarding FP in solid solution, and up to 200 C for gaseous products. Fission products although reduce fracture stresses, by a factor between 1.5 and 4, respectively for gas bubbles and solid solutions. Decrease of fracture stress is linked to an increase of microstructural defects due the solid solution and to pressurized bubbles located at grain boundaries. Pellets were tested under compressive solicitation at high temperatures. Experimental results of creep tests are well represented by Norton laws. Creep controlling mechanisms are evidenced by microstructural analysis performed on pellets at different strains. On the basis of calculations made for fuels having the same microstructures than the SIMFUELs, a creep factor is determined. It revealed a strong hardening effect of the solid solution, due to the fact that the added elements anchor the dislocations, whereas pressurized bubbles showed a coupling between hardening and softening effects. (author)

Cermet fuel for fast reactor – Fabrication and characterization

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mishra, Sudhir, E-mail: sudhir@barc.gov.in [Radiometallurgy Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085 (India); Kutty, P.S.; Kutty, T.R.G. [Radiometallurgy Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085 (India); Das, Shantanu [Uranium Extraction Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085 (India); Dey, G.K. [Materials Science Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085 (India); Kumar, Arun [Radiometallurgy Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085 (India)

2013-11-15

(U, Pu)O{sub 2} ceramic fuel is the well-established fuel for the fast reactors and (U, Pu, Zr) metallic fuel is the future fuel. Both the fuels have their own merits and demerits. Optimal solution may lie in opting for a fuel which combines the favorable features of both fuel systems. The choice may be the use of cermet fuel which can be either (U, PuO{sub 2}) or (Enriched U, UO{sub 2}). In the present study, attempt has been made to fabricate (Natural U, UO{sub 2}) cermet fuel by powder metallurgy route. Characterization of the fuel has been carried out using dilatometer, differential thermal analyzer, X-ray diffractometer, and Scanning Electron Microscope. The results show a high solidus temperature, high thermal expansion, presence of porosities, etc. in the fuel. The thermal conductivity of the fuel has also been measured. X-ray diffraction study on the fuel compact reveals presence of α U and UO{sub 2} phases in the matrix of the fuel.

Irradiation behaviour of UO2/Mo porous cermets for thermionic converters

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Stora, J.P.; Kauffmann, Y.

1975-01-01

Two types of UO 2 Mo porous cernets have been fabricated and irradiated in a Cythere irradiation device. The first cermet is constituted by little bits of dense fuel in which the two constituants are finely dispersed. The whole open porosity is located between the granules. This type of cermet is called breche (33.4vol%UO 2 , 51vol%Mo, 14.8vol%porosity). At the end of the irradiation the burn up was 19000MWd/t(U) and neither swelling of the cermet nor deformation of the can were noted. On the contrary, a shrinkage of the emitter was observed attributed to a fuel densification under irradiation. The second type of cermet is called macrogranule (36vol%UO 2 , 49vol%Mo 15vol%porosity). UO 2 granules of 0.07cm mean diameter are dispersed in the molybdenum matrix. The porosity is regularly distributed all around the UO 2 kernels. The post irradiation metrology shows that the emitter is fairly stable. Only a slight ovalisation of about 0.5% was noted, but the granules of UO 2 were redistributed inside the molybdenum matrix, overlapping the metallic cavity by a condensation-evaporation process. The matrix has crept into the central void and consequently the volume has grown and the whole porosity has increased from about 15% to about 23%. This creeping is due to the fission gas pressure in the molybdenum cavities after 3000 hours of irradiation. In conclusion two types of cermets have shown good behaviour under irradiation and should allow lifetimes of several thousand hours of operation for thermionic fuel elements [fr

Radiation effects in glass and glass-ceramic waste forms for the immobilization of CANDU UO{sub 2} fuel reprocessing waste

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Tait, J C

1993-05-01

AECL has investigated three waste forms for the immobilization of high-level liquid wastes that would arise if used CANDU fuels were reprocessed at some time in the future to remove fissile materials for the fabrication of new power reactor fuel. These waste forms are borosilicate glasses, aluminosilicate glasses and titanosilicate glass-ceramics. This report discusses the potential effects of alpha, beta and gamma radiation on the releases of radionuclides from these waste forms as a result of aqueous corrosion by groundwaters that would be present in an underground waste disposal vault. The report discusses solid-state damage caused by radiation-induced atomic displacements in the waste forms as well as irradiation of groundwater solutions (radiolysis), and their potential effects on waste-form corrosion and radionuclide release. The current literature on radiation effects on borosilicate glasses and in ceramics is briefly reviewed, as are potential radiation effects on specialized waste forms for the immobilization of {sup 129}I, {sup 85}Kr and {sup 14}C. (author). 104 refs., 9 tabs., 5 figs.

Burn-up credit criticality safety benchmark phase VII - UO2 fuel: study of spent fuel compositions for long-term disposal

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2012-01-01

After spent nuclear fuel (SNF) is discharged from a nuclear reactor, fuel composition and reactivity continue to vary as a function of time due to the decay of unstable nuclides. Accurate predictions of the concentrations of long-lived radionuclides in SNF, which represent a significant potential hazard to human beings and to the environment over a very long period, are particularly necessary for radiological dose assessments. This report assesses the ability of existing computer codes and associated nuclear data to predict isotopic compositions and their corresponding neutron multiplication factor (k eff ) values for pressurised-water-reactor (PWR) UO 2 fuel at 50 GWd/MTU burn-up in a generic spent fuel cask configuration. Fuel decay compositions and k eff values have been calculated for 30 post-irradiation time steps out to one million years

Experimental Determination of the Neutron Characteristics of UO{sub 2}-PuO{sub 2}-H{sub 2}O Lattices; Determination Experimentale Des Caracteristiques Neutroniques De Reseaux UO{sub 2}-PuO{sub 2}-H{sub 2}O

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Debrue, J.; Fabry, A.; Leenders, L.; Motte, F.; Van Den Broeck, H. [Centre d' Etude de l' Energie Nucleaire, Mol (Belgium)

1967-09-15

As part of the investigation, in the VENUS test facility, of the variably moderated core of the BR3/VULCAIN reactor, a fuel assembly consisting of 37 UO{sub 2}-PuO{sub 2} pins (94% natural UO{sub 2}, 6% PuO{sub 2} ) was substituted for one of the enriched (to 7% {sup 235}U) UO{sub 2} fuel assemblies constituting the reactor core. Experiments were carried out with the object of refining the mathematical models for calculating the performance of this special assembly; inter alia, the fission density distribution and the changing ratio of the effective cross-sections for fission in the {sup 233}Pu and {sup 235}U were measured. Using the same critical facility, the authors are carrying out a critical experiment related directly to the problems of plutonium recycling in pressurized light-water thermal reactors. Three types of fuel are being used: UO{sub 2}-PuO{sub 2} with 3% {sup 235}U and 1% fissile plutonium, UO{sub 2}-PuO{sub 2} with 2% {sup 235}U and 2% fissile plutonium, and UO{sub 2} with 4% {sup 235}U. The two UO{sub 2}-PuO{sub 2} mixtures have completely different isotopic contents of {sup 240}Pu: 7% and 17%. In the first part of the experimental programme, a study is being made of regular lattices in cores having two co-axial cylindrical zones: a UO{sub 2}-PuO{sub 2} zone and a UO{sub 2} zone. Particular attention is being paid to investigating the region on either side of the interface separating the two zones, where the neutron spectrum reflects the characteristic energy distributions in each of the two lattices. The experimental results are to be used in calibrating the computational methods. In the second part of the experimental programme, parts of the core of the SENA power reactor will be simulated with a view to studying the problems of reloading one third of the core with mixed UO{sub 2}-PuO{sub 2} fuel. Among the experimental techniques employed in these various experiments emphasis is given to those most specifically related to the presence of

Survey of the power ramp performance testing of KWU'S PWR UO 2, fuel

Science.gov (United States)

Ga¨rtner, M.; Fischer, G.

1987-06-01

To determine the power ramp performance of KWU's PWR UO 2 fuel, 134 fuel rodlets with burnups of up to 46 GWd/ t (U) and several fuel assemblies with 19 to 30 GWd/t (U) burnup were ramped in power in the research reactors HFR Petten/The Netherlands and R2 Studsvik/Sweden and in the power plants KWO and KWB-A/Germany, respectively. The power ramp tests demonstrate decreasing resistance of the PWR fuel rods to PCI (pellet-to-clad interaction) up to fuel burnups of 35 GWd/t (U) and a reversal effect at higher burnups. The fuel rods can be operated free of defects at fast power transients to linear heat generation rates of up to 400 W/cm, at least.Power levels of up to 490 W/cm can be reached without defects by reducing the ramp rate. After reshuffling according to an out-in scheme, 1-cycle fuel assemblies may return to rod powers of up to 480 W/cm with a power increase rate of up to 10 W/(cm min) without fuel rod damage. Set points basing on these test results and incorporated into the power distribution control and power density limitation system of KWU's advanced power plants guarantee safe plant operation under normal and load follow operating conditions.

Effect of alpha irradiation on UO{sub 2} surface reactivity in aqueous media

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Jegou, C.; Muzeau, B.; Broudic, V.; Poulesquen, A.; Roudil, D. [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique (CEA), Rhone Valley Research Center, DIEC/SESC/LMPA, Bagnols-sur-Ceze (France); Jorion, F. [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique (CEA), Rhone Valley Research Center, DRCP/SE2A/LEMA, Bagnols-sur-Ceze (France); Corbel, C. [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique (CEA), Saclay Research Center, DSM/DRECAM/SCM, Gif sur Yvette (France)

2005-07-01

The option of direct disposal of spent nuclear fuel in a deep geological formation raises the need to investigate the long-term behavior of the UO{sub 2} matrix in aqueous media subjected to {alpha}-{beta}-{gamma} radiation. The {beta}-{gamma} emitters account for most of the activity of spent fuel at the moment it is removed from the reactor, but diminish within a millennial time frame by over three orders of magnitude to less than the long-term activity. The latter persists over much longer time periods and must therefore be taken into account over a geological disposal time scale. Leaching experiments with solution renewal were carried out on UO{sub 2} pellets doped with alpha emitters ({sup 238}Pu and {sup 239}Pu) to quantify the impact of alpha irradiation on UO{sub 2} matrix alteration. Three batches of doped UO{sub 2} pellets with different alpha flux levels (3.30 x 10{sup 4}, 3.30 x 10{sup 5}, and 3.2 x 10{sup 6} {alpha} cm{sup -2} s{sup -1}) were studied. The results obtained in aerated and deaerated media immediately after sample annealing or interim storage in air provide a better understanding of the UO{sub 2} matrix alteration mechanisms under alpha irradiation. Interim storage in air of UO{sub 2} pellets doped with alpha emitters results in variations of the UO{sub 2} surface reactivity, which depends on the alpha particle flux at the interface and on the interim storage duration. The variation in the surface reactivity and the greater uranium release following interim storage cannot be attributed to the effect of alpha radiolysis in aerated media since the uranium release tends toward the same value after several leaching cycles for the doped UO{sub 2} pellet batches and spent fuel. Oxygen diffusion enhanced by alpha irradiation of the extreme surface layer and/or radiolysis of the air could account for the oxidation of the surface UO{sub 2} to UO{sub 2+x}. However, leaching experiments performed in deaerated media after annealing the samples and

Assessment of Possible Cycle Lengths for Fully-Ceramic Micro-Encapsulated Fuel-Based Light Water Reactor Concepts

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sen, R. Sonat; Pope, Michael A.; Ougouag, Abderrafi M.; Pasamehmetoglu, Kemal O.

2012-01-01

The tri-isotropic (TRISO) fuel developed for High Temperature reactors is known for its extraordinary fission product retention capabilities (1). Recently, the possibility of extending the use of TRISO particle fuel to Light Water Reactor (LWR) technology, and perhaps other reactor concepts, has received significant attention (2). The Deep Burn project (3) currently focuses on once-through burning of transuranic fissile and fissionable isotopes (TRU) in LWRs. The fuel form for this purpose is called Fully-Ceramic Micro-encapsulated (FCM) fuel, a concept that borrows the TRISO fuel particle design from high temperature reactor technology, but uses SiC as a matrix material rather than graphite. In addition, FCM fuel may also use a cladding made of a variety of possible material, again including SiC as an admissible choice. The FCM fuel used in the Deep Burn (DB) project showed promising results in terms of fission product retention at high burnup values and during high-temperature transients. In the case of DB applications, the fuel loading within a TRISO particle is constituted entirely of fissile or fissionable isotopes. Consequently, the fuel was shown to be capable of achieving reasonable burnup levels and cycle lengths, especially in the case of mixed cores (with coexisting DB and regular LWR UO2 fuels). In contrast, as shown below, the use of UO2-only FCM fuel in a LWR results in considerably shorter cycle length when compared to current-generation ordinary LWR designs. Indeed, the constraint of limited space availability for heavy metal loading within the TRISO particles of FCM fuel and the constraint of low (i.e., below 20 w/0) 235U enrichment combine to result in shorter cycle lengths compared to ordinary LWRs if typical LWR power densities are also assumed and if typical TRISO particle dimensions and UO2 kernels are specified. The primary focus of this summary is on using TRISO particles with up to 20 w/0 enriched uranium kernels loaded in Pressurized Water

Formation of (Cr, Al)UO{sub 4} from doped UO{sub 2} and its influence on partition of soluble fission products

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cooper, M.W.D. [Department of Materials, Imperial College London, London (United Kingdom); Gregg, D.J.; Zhang, Y.; Thorogood, G.J.; Lumpkin, G.R. [Institute of Materials Engineering, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, New South Wales (Australia); Grimes, R.W. [Department of Materials, Imperial College London, London (United Kingdom); Middleburgh, S.C., E-mail: simm@ansto.gov.au [Institute of Materials Engineering, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, New South Wales (Australia)

2013-11-15

CrUO{sub 4} and (Cr, Al)UO{sub 4} have been fabricated by a sol–gel method, studied using diffraction techniques and modelled using empirical pair potentials. Cr{sub 2}O{sub 3} was predicted to preferentially form CrUO{sub 4} over entering solution into hyper-stoichiometric UO{sub 2+x} by atomic scale simulation. Further, it was predicted that the formation of CrUO{sub 4} can proceed by removing excess oxygen from the UO{sub 2} lattice. Attempts to synthesise AlUO{sub 4} failed, instead forming U{sub 3}O{sub 8} and Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}. X-ray diffraction confirmed the structure of CrUO{sub 4} and identifies the existence of a (Cr, Al)UO{sub 4} phase for the first time (with a maximum Al to Cr mole ratio of 1:3). Simulation was subsequently used to predict the partition energies for the removal of fission products or fuel additives from hyper-stoichiometric UO{sub 2+x} and their incorporation into the secondary phase. The partition energies are consistent only with smaller cations (e.g. Zr{sup 4+}, Mo{sup 4+} and Fe{sup 3+}) residing in CrUO{sub 4}, while all divalent cations are predicted to remain in UO{sub 2+x}. Additions of Al had little effect on partition behaviour. The reduction of UO{sub 2+x} due to the formation of CrUO{sub 4} has important implications for the solution limits of other fission products as many species are less soluble in UO{sub 2} than UO{sub 2+x}.

Recent findings on the oxidation of UO2 fuel under nominally dry storage conditions

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Taylor, P.; McEachern, R.J.; Sunder, S.; Wasywich, K.M.; Miller, N.H.; Wood, D.D.

1995-01-01

This paper is an overview of fuel-storage demonstration experiments, supporting research on UO 2 oxidation, and associated model development, in progress at AECL's Whiteshell Laboratories. The work is being performed to determine the time/temperature limits for safe storage of irradiated CANDU fuel in dry air. The most significant recent experimental finding has been the detection of small quantities of U 3 O 8 , formed over periods of one to several years in a variety of experiments at 150-170 deg C. Another important trading is the slight suppression of U 3 O 8 formation in SIMFUEL and other doped U0 2 formulations. The development of a nucleation-and-growth model for U 3 O 8 formation is discussed, along with available activation energy data. These provide a basis for predicting U 3 O 8 formation rates under dry-storage conditions, and hence optimizing fuel storage strategies. (author)

Study on the development of coating technology for UO{sub 2} nuclear fuel pellet and the microstructural observation of the coated layer

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Choi, Yong; Song, Moon Sup; Cho, In Sik; Kim Yu Sin; Lim Young Kyun [Sunmoon University, Asan (Korea)

1998-04-01

In order to enhance inherent safety of UO{sub 2} nuclear fuel pellet and develop future nuclear fuel technology, a coating method for the preparation multi-layers of pyrolytic carbon and silicon carbide on the fuel was developed. Inner pyrolytic carbon layer and outer silicon layer were prepared by thermal decomposition of propane in a fluidized bed type CVD unit and silane in ECR PECVD, respectively. Combustion reaction between two layers resulted in forming silicon carbide layer. The morphology depended on the initial carbon shape. Phase identification and microstructural analysis of the combustion product with XRD, AES, SEM and TEM showed that final products of inner layer and outer layer were pyrolytic carbon with isotropic structure and fine crystalline {beta}-SiC, respectively. This coating process is very useful for the fabrication of coated UO{sub 2} nuclear fuel pellet an future nuclear fuel fabrication technology. (author). 45 refs., 47 figs., 5 tabs.

Production of Depleted UO2Kernels for the Advanced Gas-Cooled Reactor Program for Use in TRISO Coating Development

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Collins, J.L.

2004-01-01

The main objective of the Depleted UO 2 Kernels Production Task at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) was to conduct two small-scale production campaigns to produce 2 kg of UO 2 kernels with diameters of 500 ± 20 (micro)m and 3.5 kg of UO 2 kernels with diameters of 350 ± 10 (micro)m for the U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative Program. The final acceptance requirements for the UO 2 kernels are provided in the first section of this report. The kernels were prepared for use by the ORNL Metals and Ceramics Division in a development study to perfect the triisotropic (TRISO) coating process. It was important that the kernels be strong and near theoretical density, with excellent sphericity, minimal surface roughness, and no cracking. This report gives a detailed description of the production efforts and results as well as an in-depth description of the internal gelation process and its chemistry. It describes the laboratory-scale gel-forming apparatus, optimum broth formulation and operating conditions, preparation of the acid-deficient uranyl nitrate stock solution, the system used to provide uniform broth droplet formation and control, and the process of calcining and sintering UO 3 · 2H 2 O microspheres to form dense UO 2 kernels. The report also describes improvements and best past practices for uranium kernel formation via the internal gelation process, which utilizes hexamethylenetetramine and urea. Improvements were made in broth formulation and broth droplet formation and control that made it possible in many of the runs in the campaign to produce the desired 350 ± 10-(micro)m-diameter kernels, and to obtain very high yields

Assessment of cold composite fuels for PWR

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Coulon-Picard, E.; Agard, M.; Boulore, A.; Castelier, E.; Chabert, C.; Conti, A.; Frayssines, P.E.; Lechelle, J.; Maillard, S.; Matheron, P.; Pelletier, M.; Phelip, M.; Piluso, P.; Vaudano, A

2009-06-15

This study is devoted to evaluation of a new innovative micro structured fuel for future pressurized water reactor. This fuel would have potential to increase the safety margins, lowering fuel temperatures by adding a small fraction of a high conductivity second phase material in the oxide fuel phase. The behavior of this fuel in a standard rod has been modeled with finite element codes and was assessed for different aspects of the cycle as neutronic studies, thermal behavior, reprocessing and economics. Feasibility of fuels has been investigated with the fabrication and characterizations of the microstructure of composite fuels with powder metallurgy and HIP processes. First, a CERCER (Ceramic = UO{sub 2}- Ceramic matrix made of silicon carbide, SiC) fuel type has been investigated, the advantages of a ceramic being generally its transparency to neutrons and its high melting temperature. A first design of kernel type fuel was first chosen with a gap between the UO{sub 2} particles and the second phase material in order to avoid mechanical interaction between the two components. Due to lowering thermal conductivity of SiC under irradiation, this CERCER fuel did not allow a temperature gain compared to current fuel. No ceramic material seems to exhibit all required properties. Even beryllium oxide (BeO), which conductivity does not decrease with irradiation according to the literature, induces difficulties with ({alpha}, n) reactions and toxicity. The study then focused on Cermet fuels (Ceramic-Metal). The metal matrix must be transparent to neutrons and have a good thermal conductivity. Several materials have been considered such as zirconium alloys, austenitic and ferritic stainless steals and chromium based alloys. The heterogeneous composite fuels were modeled using the 3D/CASTM finite element code. From an economical and neutron point of view, it was important to keep a low fraction of metal phase, i.e. less than 10 % of Zr for example. However, the fuel

Experimental Observation of Densification Behavior of UO2 Annular Pellet

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kim, Dong-Joo; Rhee, Young-Woo; Kim, Jong-Hun; Yang, Jae-Ho; Kang, Ki-Won; Kim, Keon-Sik

2007-01-01

Recently, in the nuclear industry, one of the major issues is the improvement of a fuel economy. And many efforts have been made to develop a nuclear fuel for a high burnup and extended cycle. In the development of a high performance fuel, in-reactor fuel behavior (fission gas release, pellet-clad interaction, stress corrosion cracking, cladding corrosion, etc.) must be seriously reconsidered. Also, fuel fabrication (high enriched UO 2 powder handling, fuel rod and assembly manufacturing, fabricated fuel rod and assembly storage and transport, etc.) and an enrichment process (5 w/o criticality limit, etc.) must be discussed. A modification and an improvement of the nuclear fuel system will be also required. The typical fuel geometry of a PWR (Pressurized Water Reactor) is composed of a cylindrical pellet with a tubular cladding. And the outer surface of the cladding is cooled with water. However, to allow a substantial increase in the power density, an additional cooling is needed. One of the best ways is the application of the new fuel geometry that is of annular shape and has both internal and external cooling. From this point of view, the double cooled fuel is being developed by KAERI (Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute), and as a part of the project, the development of a fabrication process of a UO 2 annular pellet is now in progress. The dimensional behavior of UO 2 fuel is an important parameter in an irradiation performance. Various investigations (resintering test, model calculation, in-pile dimensional change measuring, etc.) had been performed. In designing a double cooled fuel, the importance of the dimensional behavior of a fuel pellet is higher, because the gap distance between a pellet and cladding can considerably affect on the in reactor fuel performance (gap conductance). And the dimensional behavior of an inner/outer gap is different with a cylindrical pellet, when the pellet shrinks (densification), the inner gap distance decreases and the

Sinterability of mixtures of UO2 of different morphological features

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Villegas de Maroto, Marina; Celora de Lavagnino, Julia; Marajofsky, Adolfo; Leyva, A.G.

1981-01-01

The reprocessing of scrap in the production of UO2 pellets, is important from an economical view-point of the fuel cycle. The recovery method by means of a humid process, tested for UO2 scrap, includes the dissolution of the pellets in a nitric media at boiling point, the precipitation of ammonium diuranates (ADU) and its conversion into UO2 at 600 deg C. The microestructural results and the sintering density of the pellets produced in these tests are compared. It is shown that, although the addition of said UO2 powders impaires the performance of the original mixture produced by the factory, the results thus obtained are, nevertheless, within specifications. This facts show that the mixture would then be able for production. (M.E.L.) [es

Modeling of UO2 aqueous dissolution over a wide range of conditions

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Steward, S.A.; Weed, H.C.

1993-11-01

Previously it was not possible to predict reliably the rate at which spent fuel would react with groundwater because of conflicting data in the literature. The dissolution of the UO 2 spent fuel matrix is a necessary step for aqueous release of radioactive fission products. Statistical experimental design was used to plan a set of UO 2 dissolution experiments to examine systematically the effects of temperature (25--75C), dissolved oxygen (0.002--0.2 atm overpressure), pH (8--10) and carbonate (2-200x10 -4 molar) concentrations on UO 2 dissolution. The average uranium dissolution rate was 4.3 mg/m 2 /day. The regression fit of the data indicate an Arrhenius type activation energy of 8750 cal/mol and a half-power dependence on dissolved oxygen in the simulated groundwater

Behaviour of high purity UO2/H2O interfaces under helium beam irradiation in deaerated conditions

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mendes, E.

2005-11-01

A question put within the framework of the nuclear fuel storage worn in geological site is what become to them in the presence of water. The aim of a fundamental program, of PRECCI project (ECA), is to highlight the behaviour of interfaces which can be used as models for the interfaces nuclear spent fuel/water if the fuel is uranium UO 2 dioxide. This doctorate is interested in the effect of the alpha activity which is the only one that exist in the spent fuel after long periods. The aim is to identify the mechanisms of alteration and of leaching of surfaces under alpha irradiation. A method is developed to irradiate UO 2 /H 2 O interfaces in deaerated conditions with the beam of He 2+ produced by a cyclotron. The He 2+ ions cross an UO 2 disc and emerge in water with an energy of 5 MeV. Leachings under irradiation are carried with a large range of particles flux. The post-irradiation characterization of the surface of the discs realised by micro-Raman spectroscopy allowed to identify the alteration layer. It is made up of studtite UO 2 (O 2 ),4H 2 O, and of schoepite UO 3 ,xH 2 O. The analysis of the solutions shows that the uranium release strongly increases. The electrochemical properties of the interfaces under irradiation strongly differ from those before irradiation. This work allows to propose that the radiolytic species seen by the interface are it during the heterogeneous phase of evolution of the traces and are species of short lives. Modeling show that the radiolytic radicals species can migrate toward the interface and react with the UO 2 surface. (author)

Mechanistic modelling of gaseous fission product behaviour in UO2 fuel by Rtop code

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kanukova, V.D.; Khoruzhii, O.V.; Kourtchatov, S.Y.; Likhanskii, V.V.; Matveew, L.V.

2002-01-01

The current status of a mechanistic modelling by the RTOP code of the fission product behaviour in polycrystalline UO 2 fuel is described. An outline of the code and implemented physical models is presented. The general approach to code validation is discussed. It is exemplified by the results of validation of the models of fuel oxidation and grain growth. The different models of intragranular and intergranular gas bubble behaviour have been tested and the sensitivity of the code in the framework of these models has been analysed. An analysis of available models of the resolution of grain face bubbles is also presented. The possibilities of the RTOP code are presented through the example of modelling behaviour of WWER fuel over the course of a comparative WWER-PWR experiment performed at Halden and by comparison with Yanagisawa experiments. (author)

Effect of point defects on the thermal conductivity of UO2: molecular dynamics simulations

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Liu, Xiang-Yang [Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States); Stanek, Christopher Richard [Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States); Andersson, Anders David Ragnar [Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

2015-07-21

The thermal conductivity of uranium dioxide (UO₂) fuel is an important materials property that affects fuel performance since it is a key parameter determining the temperature distribution in the fuel, thus governing, e.g., dimensional changes due to thermal expansion, fission gas release rates, etc. [1] The thermal conductivity of UO₂ nuclear fuel is also affected by fission gas, fission products, defects, and microstructural features such as grain boundaries. Here, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are carried out to determine quantitatively, the effect of irradiation induced point defects on the thermal conductivity of UO₂, as a function of defect concentrations, for a range of temperatures, 300 – 1500 K. The results will be used to develop enhanced continuum thermal conductivity models for MARMOT and BISON by INL. These models express the thermal conductivity as a function of microstructure state-variables, thus enabling thermal conductivity models with closer connection to the physical state of the fuel [2].

An Analysis of the Thermal and Structure Behaviour of the UO{sub 2}-PuO{sub 2}-Fuel in the Irradiation Experiment of the UO{sub 2}-PuO{sub 2}-Fuel in the Irradiation Experiment FR2 Capsule Test Series 5a; Analisis termico y estructural del combustible UO{sub 2}-PuO{sub 2} irradiado en el reactor FR2 dentro del experimento KVE-Vg.5a

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lopez Jimenez, J.; Helmut, E.

1981-07-01

In the Karlsruhe research reactor FR2 nine fuel pins were irradiated within three irradiation capsules in the course of the test series 5a. The pins contained UO{sub 2}-PuO{sub 2} fuel pellets. They reached bump values of about 6, 17 and 47 Mwd/Kg Me with linear rod powers of 400 to 600 W/cm and clad surface temperature between 500 and 700 degree centigree. A detailed analysis of the fuel structuration data (columnar-grain and equiaxed- -grain growth regions) have allowed to determine, with the help of physic-mathematical models, the radii of these regions and the heat transfer through the contact zone between fuel and clad depending on the bump. The results of the analysis showed that the fuel surface temperature rose with increasing burnup. (Author) 16 refs.

Mechanical properties and structure of Zircaloy attached by UO2+x and fission products

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Holub, F.

1987-08-01

The aim of this project was to determine the combined long-term effect of simulated fission products and hyperstoichiometric uranium dioxide on the mechanical properties and structure of Zircaloy. Three groups of fission product elements or compounds were defined: The rare earth oxides CeO 2 , La 2 O 3 , Nd 2 O 3 , Y 2 O 3 ; The metals No, Ru, Ag; The low melting elements Te, Sb and Cd. Each of these groups of fission products was mixed with UO 2+x in proportion related for burnups of 5, 10 and 30%. The simulated fuel mixtures were filled into tubular Zircaloy casings, plugged and welded. These specimens were annealed at 350, 500 and 700 deg. C up to 17,500 hours. The test results indicate different kinds of action of the simulated fuel constituents. Mixtures of rare earth oxides and UO 2+x embrittle Zircaloy drastically at higher temperatures. There exists a mutual intensifying effect of rare earth oxides and UO 2+x . UO 2+x and (Mo + Ru + Ag) and their mixtures act very similar on Zircaloy. The low melting fission products (Te + Sb + Cd) influence the ductility of Zircaloy in an advantageous manner, compared to pure UO 2+x fuel. The layer of zirconium tellurides seems to protect the Zircaloy metal against the embrittling attack of oxygen from UO 2+x . The most important events of tensile tests at 400 deg. C are the high values of the elongation of specimens which are brittled at room temperature. It should guarantee the integrity of fuel elements, which have been attacked chemically by fission products at temperatures of 400 deg. C and higher

Behaviour of high purity UO{sub 2}/H{sub 2}O interfaces under helium beam irradiation in deaerated conditions; Comportement des interfaces UO{sub 2}/H{sub 2}O de haute purete sous faisceau d'ions He{sup 2+} en milieu desaere

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mendes, E

2005-11-15

A question put within the framework of the nuclear fuel storage worn in geological site is what become to them in the presence of water. The aim of a fundamental program, of PRECCI project (ECA), is to highlight the behaviour of interfaces which can be used as models for the interfaces nuclear spent fuel/water if the fuel is uranium UO{sub 2} dioxide. This doctorate is interested in the effect of the alpha activity which is the only one that exist in the spent fuel after long periods. The aim is to identify the mechanisms of alteration and of leaching of surfaces under alpha irradiation. A method is developed to irradiate UO{sub 2}/H{sub 2}O interfaces in deaerated conditions with the beam of He{sup 2+} produced by a cyclotron. The He{sup 2+} ions cross an UO{sub 2} disc and emerge in water with an energy of 5 MeV. Leachings under irradiation are carried with a large range of particles flux. The post-irradiation characterization of the surface of the discs realised by micro-Raman spectroscopy allowed to identify the alteration layer. It is made up of studtite UO{sub 2}(O{sub 2}),4H{sub 2}O, and of schoepite UO{sub 3},xH{sub 2}O. The analysis of the solutions shows that the uranium release strongly increases. The electrochemical properties of the interfaces under irradiation strongly differ from those before irradiation. This work allows to propose that the radiolytic species seen by the interface are it during the heterogeneous phase of evolution of the traces and are species of short lives. Modeling show that the radiolytic radicals species can migrate toward the interface and react with the UO{sub 2} surface. (author)

Effect of the UO{sub 2} powder type and mixing method on microstructure of Mn-Al doped pellet

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Na, Yeon Soo; Lim, Kwang Young; Choi, Min young; Jung, Tae Sik; Lee, Seung Jae; Yoo, Jong Sung [KEPCO, Daejeon (Korea, Republic of)

2016-05-15

Recently, the commercial LWRs are focused on the extending the burn-up and fuel cycle length in order to increase nuclear power plant economy as a maintenance and fuel cycle cost. Increasing the burn-up may lead to a faster and higher power variation such as a peak local linear power and normal operating transient (Load following operation). In such operating conditions, the risk of a fuel failure is considerably related to a pellet clad-interaction (PCI). So, recent development of advanced UO{sub 2} pellet for the LWRs is mainly focused on the large grain and soft pellet as they can reduce corrosive fission gas release and pellet-clad-interaction. In terms of the UO{sub 2} pellet, the prevention of PCI induced fuel failure can be achieved by enlarging the UO{sub 2} pellet grain size and enhancing the pellets deformation at an elevated temperature. In Korea, in order to increase the grain size and deformation of UO{sub 2} pellet on the high temperature, Mn-Al doped pellet with ADU (Ammonium Diuranate)-UO{sub 2} powder are developed in lab scale. But, the UO{sub 2} pellets for the commercial nuclear power plants in Korea are fabricated using the DC (Dry Conversion)-UO{sub 2} powder. So, it is necessary to understand the effect of microstructure on UO{sub 2} powder type for Mn-Al doped pellets. In this work, to investigate the effect of UO{sub 2} powder type and mixing method on the microstructure of the Mn-Al doped UO{sub 2} pellets, we fabricated the Mn-Al doped pellets using the DC-UO{sub 2} powder. The measurement of sintered density and mean grain size for fabricated pellets was performed, and then the results of test was evaluated in comparison with a Reference 2.

Thermal modeling of the ceramic composite fuel for light water reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Revankar, S.T.; Latta, R.; Solomon, A.A.

2005-01-01

Full text of publication follows: Composite fuel designs capable of providing improved thermal performance are of great interest in advanced reactor designs where high efficiency and long fuel cycles are desired. Thermal modeling of the composite fuel consisting of continuous second phase in a ceramic (uranium oxide) matrix has been carried out with detailed examination of the microstructure of the composite and the interface. Assuming that constituent phases are arranged as slabs, upper and lower bounds for the thermal conductivity of the composite are derived analytically. Bounding calculations on the thermal conductivity of the composite were performed for SiC dispersed in the UO 2 matrix. It is found that with 10% SiC, the thermal conductivity increases from 5.8 to 9.8 W/m.deg. K at 500 K, or an increase of 69% was observed in UO 2 matrix. The finite element analysis computer program ANSYS was used to create composite fuel geometries with set boundary conditions to produce accurate thermal conductivity predictions. A model developed also accounts for SiC-matrix interface resistance and the addition of coatings or interaction barriers. The first set of calculations using the code was to model simple series and parallel fuel slab geometries, and then advance to inter-connected parallel pathways. The analytical calculations were compared with the ANSYS results. The geometry of the model was set up as a 1 cm long by 400 micron wide rectangle. This rectangle was then divided into one hundred sections with the first ninety percent of a single section being UO 2 and the remaining ten percent consisting of SiC. The model was then meshed using triangular type elements. The boundary conditions were set with the sides of the rectangle being adiabatic and having an assigned temperature at the end of the rectangle. A heat flux was then applied to one end of the model producing a temperature gradient. The effective thermal conductivity was then calculated using the geometry

Low Temperature Two-Steps Sintering (LTTSS) - an innovative method for consolidating porous UO2 pellets

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sanjay Kumar, D.; Ananthasivan, K.; Senapati, Abhiram; Venkata Krishnan, R.

2015-01-01

Metallic uranium and its alloys are an important fuel for fast reactors. Presently, metallic uranium is being prepared using expensive fluoro-metallothermic process. Recent reports suggest that metal oxide could be reduced to metal using a novel electrochemical de-oxidation method and this could serve as attractive alternate for expensive metallothermic process. In view of which, a research program is being pursued in our Centre to develop an optimum process parameter for the scaled up preparation of metallic uranium efficiently. One of the important process parameter is the size, nature and distribution of porosity in the urania pellet. Essentially the ceramic form of the urania should encompass interconnected porosity that would allow percolation of melts into the UO 2 . However, the matrix density of the pellet should be high to ensure that it possesses good handling strength and is electrically conducting. Hence preparation of high dense porous UO 2 pellets was required. In this study, we report the preparation of porous UO 2 pellets possessing a very high matrix density by using the citrate gel-combustion method. The 'as-prepared' powders were consolidated at various compaction pressures as such and these pellets were sintered in 8 mol %Ar+H 2 gas with a flow rate of 250 mL/min at 1073 K for 30 min followed by soaking at 1473 K for 4 h with heating rate of 5 K min -1 in a molybdenum furnace. X-ray diffraction studies revealed that these pellets contained UO 2 . The morphological analysis sintered pellets was carried out by using Scanning Electron Microscope (M/s. Philips model XL 30, Netherlands). All these pellets were gold coated

Thermodynamic mixing properties of the UO{sub 2}–HfO{sub 2} solid solution: Density functional theory and Monte Carlo simulations

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yuan, Ke, E-mail: keyuan@umich.edu [Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 (United States); Ewing, Rodney C. [Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 (United States); Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 (United States); Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 (United States); Becker, Udo [Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 (United States)

2015-03-15

HfO{sub 2} is a neutron absorber and has been mechanically mixed with UO{sub 2} in nuclear fuel in order to control the core power distribution. During nuclear fission, the temperature at the center of the fuel pellet can reach above 1300 K, where hafnium may substitute uranium and form the binary solid solution of UO{sub 2}–HfO{sub 2}. UO{sub 2} adopts the cubic fluorite structure, but HfO{sub 2} can occur in monoclinic, tetragonal, and cubic structures. The distribution of Hf and U ions in the UO{sub 2}–HfO{sub 2} binary and its atomic structure influence the thermal conductivity and melting point of the fuel. However, experimental data on the UO{sub 2}–HfO{sub 2} binary are limited. Therefore, the enthalpies of mixing of the UO{sub 2}–HfO{sub 2} binary with three different structures were calculated in this study using density functional theory and subsequent Monte Carlo simulations. The free energy of mixing was obtained from thermodynamic integration of the enthalpy of mixing over temperature. From the ΔG of mixing, a phase diagram of the binary was obtained. The calculated UO{sub 2}–HfO{sub 2} binary forms extensive solid solution across the entire compositional range, but there are a variety of possible exsolution phenomena associated with the different HfO{sub 2} polymorphs. As the structure of the HfO{sub 2} end member adopts lower symmetry and becomes less similar to cubic UO{sub 2}, the miscibility gap of the phase diagram expands, accompanied by an increase in cell volume by 7–10% as the structure transforms from cubic to monoclinic. Close to the UO{sub 2} end member, which is relevant to the nuclear fuel, the isometric uranium-rich solid solutions exsolve as the fuel cools, and there is a tendency to form the monoclinic hafnium-rich phase in the matrix of the isometric, uranium-rich solid solution phase.

Atomic transport properties in UO2 and mixed oxides (U,Pu)O2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Matzke, H.

1987-01-01

Atomic diffusion processes in UO 2 and in the fast-breeder reactor fuel, (U,Pu)O 2 are reviewed. Emphasis is given to the slower-moving species, i.e. U and Pu. Self-diffusion, chemical diffusion, diffusion in a thermal gradient, enhancement of diffusion by radiation and fission and the operative diffusion mechanisms are discussed. The main parameter, besides the temperature, is the oxygen-to-metal ratio (O/M ratio) of the oxide. The experimental results are compared with recent calculations reported elsewhere in this volume. Also treated are effects of the possible lambda-transition at ca.2600 K in UO 2 on high-temperature kinetic processes. The present knowledge on the diffusion and mobility of fission products with emphasis on volatile and gaseous elements, and of other actinides with emphasis on their valence states are treated. Gaps in our knowledge are pointed out and the relevance of the available results for oxide fuel during reactor operation is discussed. Whereas much is known for the as-produced 'virgin' fuel, more results are urgently needed for oxides with higher burn-ups containing a few per cent fission products. Finally, technological applications of the diffusion results are treated. As an example, important savings in cost, energy and time in fuel sintering were recently achieved based on basic studies of diffusion properties of UO 2 . (author)

A Study of the Temperature Distribution in UO2 Reactor Fuel Elements

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Devold, I.

1968-05-01

Thermal conductivity is one of the most important properties of nuclear reactor fuels. Accurate knowledge of this property is vital because, among other things, it determines the maximum power that can be taken out of the fuel element per unit length of the material without exceeding the safety limits of the fuel elements. This report consists of a study of the thermal behaviour of uranium dioxide in the form of reactor fuel. The experimental part of the report describes measurements performed at the OECD Halden Reactor Project, Halden, Norway. The experiment was originally set up in order to measure the temperature at the center of a UO 2 fuel element as a function of element power, in order to determine the safe operation limit of the fuel assembly. However, in analysing the data obtained, very interesting thermal conductivity values were obtained and comparison with existing correlations could be performed. This comparison shows that a certain agreement is obtained between the measured data at Halden and a theory published by J.L. Bates in 1961, which predicts an increase in the thermal conductivity above 1500 deg C. The data obtained below 1300 deg C are also in good agreement with measurements performed by Vogt, Grandell and Runfors in 1964. The report contains a mathematical description of the heat transfer mechanisms in cylindrical fuel elements. The model is coded in FORTRAN IV-code and referred to as FUELTEMP

Finite element simulation of fission gas release and swelling in UO2 fuel pellets

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Denis, Alicia C.

1999-01-01

A fission gas release model is presented, which solves the atomic diffusion problem with xenon and krypton elements tramps produced by uranium fission during UO 2 nuclear fuel irradiation. The model considers intra and intergranular precipitation bubbles, its re dissolution owing to highly energetic fission products impact, interconnection of intergranular bubbles and gas sweeping by grain border in movement because of grain growth. In the model, the existence of a thermal gradient in the fuel pellet is considered, as well as temporal variations of fission rate owing to changes in the operation lineal power. The diffusion equation is solved by the finite element method and results of gas release and swelling calculation owing to gas fission are compared with experimental data. (author)

Metallurgical structure modification of UO{sub 2} pellet during sintering - experience at NFC, Hyderabad, India

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Santra, N.; Sinha, T.K.; Singh, A.K.; Sairam, S.; Sheela, S.; Saibaba, N., E-mail: santra@nfc.gov.in [Nuclear Fuel Complex, Dept. of Atomic Energy, Hyderabad (India)

2013-07-01

Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC), Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) produces UO{sub 2} fuel pellets by powder compaction, high temperature sintering followed by centreless wet grinding method from the stabilized UO{sub 2} powder generated through ADU-route. Enhancement of fuel burn up of the Indian PHWRs becomes very important in order to effectively utilize the fuel to the maximum extent inside the reactor. Burn up is mainly limited by increased fission gas release from the fuel during reactor operation. Without introducing much change in the design, rate of release of fission gas can be reduced through enlargement of UO{sub 2} grain size. In Powder Metallurgical (PM) route of fuel fabrication, trials were taken by doping various oxide powder additives like TiO{sub 2}, Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}, SiO{sub 2}, Nb{sub 2}O{sub 5} and Cr{sub 2}O{sub 3}. The dopant normally goes into the solid solution of parent matrix during sintering at 1700 {sup o}C and thus enhance the rate of diffusion. Aliovalant dopant can alter the defect chemistry of the parent material either by creating vacancy or interstitial. It is apparently understood that the combination of above mechanisms are responsible for structural modification of UO{sub 2}. Hence selection of dopant remains largely empirical. It has been observed at NFC Hyderabad that the Cr{sub 2}O{sub 3} is the most suitable for achieving average UO{sub 2} grain size of about 70 micron and 98%TD of the sintered pellet. The paper discusses about the various experimental trials, sintered densities, metallographic examination, effect of different quantities, analysis and result obtained thereof. (author)

Fabrication and testing of the sintered ceramic UO2 fuel - I - III, Part III - testing of sintered uranium dioxide properties dependent on the fabrication procedure

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Novakovic, M.; Ristic, M.M.

1961-12-01

The objective of this task was testing the influence of some parameters on the properties of sintered UO 2 . The influence of parameters tested were as follows: adhesives; pressure in the pressing procedure; temperature of sintering of the UO 2 powder. Other parameters were chosen according to the theoretical study. Sintering was done in argon atmosphere. Characterization of the UO 2 powder was performed meaning determining the needed chemical, physical and physico-chemical properties. Some new methods were developed within this task: SET method for measuring the specific surfaces, DTA, TGA, high-temperature torsion

Modelling of UO2 oxidation in steam

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Brito, A.C.; Iglesias, F.C.; Liu, Y.

1996-01-01

A computer model has been developed for calculating oxidation of UO 2 at high temperatures in steam oxidising conditions. Several methods to calculate the partial pressure of oxygen in the fuel and in the environment surrounding the fuel are available. The various methodologies have been compared and the best models have been compiled into a computer model which will be implemented into fuel thermal/mechanical behaviour codes such as FACTAR 2.0 (LOECI) and ELESIM/ELOCA. Calculations from the computer model have been compared to experimental results. The calculated oxidation reaction kinetics are in good agreement with the experimental data. (author)

Measurement of the friction coefficient between UO2 and cladding tube

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tachibana, Toshimichi; Narita, Daisuke; Kaneko, Hiromitsu; Honda, Yutaka

1978-01-01

Most of fuel rods used for light water reactors or fast reactors consist of the cladding tubes filled with UO 2 -PuO 2 pellets. The measurement was made on the coefficient of static friction and the coefficient of dynamic friction in helium under high contact load on UO 2 /Zry-2 and UO 2 /SUS 316 combined samples at the temperature ranging from room temperature to 400 deg. C and from room temperature to 600 deg. C, respectively. The coefficient of static friction for Zry-2 tube and UO 2 pellets was 0.32 +- 0.08 at room temperature and 0.47 +- 0.07 at 400 deg. C, and increased with temperature rise in this temperature range. The coefficient of static friction between 316 stainless steel tube and UO 2 pellets was 0.29 +- 0.04 at room temperature and 1.2 +- 0.2 at 600 deg. C, and increased with temperature rise in this temperature range. The coefficient of dynamic friction for both UO 2 /Zry-2 and UO 2 /SUS 316 combinations seems to be equal to or about 10% excess of the coefficient of static friction. The coefficient of static friction for UO 2 /SUS 316 combination decreased with the increasing number of repetition, when repeating slip several times on the same contact surfaces. (Kobatake, H.)

Development of UO{sub 2}-Stainless Steel Fuel Plates Containing 30-50 Vol. % Oxide; Fabrication de plaques de combustible en acier inoxydable-UO{sub 2} contenant 30 a 40% d'oxyde (en volume); Razrabotka toplivnykh ehlementov iz nerzhaveyushchej stali i UO{sub 2}, soderzhashchikh 30 - 50 OB.% okisi; Elaboracion de placas de combustible de acero inoxidable UO{sub 2} conteniendo 30 a 40% de oxido (en volumen)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lloyd, H. [Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell (United Kingdom)

1963-11-15

This paper describes developments associated with the fabrication of UO{sub 2}-stainless steel plate type fuel elements containing up to 50 vol.% UO{sub 2}. The preparation of high-density spherical UO{sub 2} sintered particles in the 100- to 500-{mu}m size range and the compacting and sintering of cermet plate cores with the particles uniformly distributed in the stainless steel matrix are described together with procedures for hot roll-bonding the fuel plates. Rolling at temperatures up to 1300{sup o}C using total deformations in the 40% to 90% range were studied to establish optimum conditions for the production of high-density cores and to achieve good bonding between the plate components with minimum fragmentation and stringering of the UO{sub 2} particles. The manufacture of large fuel plates utilizing multi-core plates which are bonded together during hot rolling is also described. Data are presented on the mechanical properties of 30, 40 and 50 vol.% UO{sub 2}-stainless steel cermets, prepared as described above, and tested in the as ''rolled'' and annealed condition at various temperatures up to 700{sup o}C, using specimens taken laterally and longitudinally to the direction of rolling. The influence of size and uniformity of distribution of the UO{sub 2} spheres on consistency of mechanical properties are discussed. The strength of bonding between core and cladding for similar cermets in the same temperature range was also assessed. Results are also included of thermal cycling tests between 50 and 800{sup o}C, which was done to study the effects on bond stability and cermet structure after 100, 500 and 1000 cycles. (author) [French] L'auteur expose le processus de fabrication d'elements de combustible UO{sub 2}-Inox en plaques contenant jusqu'a 50% en volume d'UO{sub 2}; il decrit la preparation de particules spheriques de UO{sub 2} frittees de densite elevee (taille dans la gamme de 100 a 500), le pressage et le frittage des plaques de cermet dans

Application of Fully Ceramic Microencapsulated Fuels in Light Water Reactors

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Gentry, Cole A [ORNL; George, Nathan M [ORNL; Maldonado, G Ivan [ORNL; Godfrey, Andrew T [ORNL; Terrani, Kurt A [ORNL; Gehin, Jess C [ORNL

2012-01-01

This study aims to perform a preliminary evaluation of the feasibility of incorporation of Fully Ceramic Microencapsulated (FCM) fuels in Light Water Reactors (LWRs). In particular pin cell, lattice, and full core analyses are carried out on FCM fuel in a pressurized water reactor. Using uranium-based fuel and transuranic (TRU) based fuel in TRistructural ISOtropic (TRISO) particle form, each fuel design was examined using the SCALE 6.1 analytical suite. In regards to the uranium-based fuel, pin cell calculations were used to determine which fuel material performed best when implemented in the fuel kernel as well as the size of the kernel and surrounding particle layers. The higher physical density of uranium mononitride (UN) proved to be favorable, while the parametric studies showed that the FCM particle fuel design would need roughly 12% additional fissile material in comparison to that of a standard UO2 rod in order to match the lifetime of an 18-month PWR cycle. As part of the fuel assembly design evaluations, fresh feed lattices were modeled to analyze the within-assembly pin power peaking. Also, a color-set array of assemblies was constructed to evaluate power peaking and power sharing between a once-burned and a fresh feed assembly. In regards to the TRU based fuel, lattice calculations were performed to determine an optimal lattice design based on reactivity behavior, pin power peaking, and isotopic content. After obtaining a satisfactory lattice design, feasibility of core designs fully loaded with TRU FCM lattices was demonstrated using the NESTLE three-dimensional core simulator.

Fission and explosive energy releases of PuO2, PuO2--UO2, UO2, and UO3 assemblies

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Koelling, J.J.; Hansen, G.E.; Byers, C.C.

1977-01-01

The critical masses and fission and explosive energy releases of PuO 2 , PuO 2 --UO 2 , UO 2 , and UO 3 assemblies have been calculated. The parameters selected for the model are conservative. They were chosen after review of appropriate plants that have been and are proposed for construction in the future. The resulting data envelopes are intended to include any conceivable set of circumstances that could ultimately lead to a nuclear incident. All energy release analysis was performed for initial fission spikes only: recriticality mechanisms were not considered

Neutronic analysis for conversion of the Ghana Research Reactor-1 facility using Monte Carlo methods and UO{sub 2} LEU fuel

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Anim-Sampong, S.; Akaho, E.H.K.; Maakuu, B.T.; Gbadago, J.K. [Ghana Research Reactor-1 Centre, Dept. of Nuclear Engineering and Materials Science, National Nuclear Research Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Legon, Accra (Ghana); Andam, A. [Kwame Nkrumah Univ. of Science and Technology, Dept. of Physics (Ghana); Liaw, J.J.R.; Matos, J.E. [Argonne National Lab., RERTR Programme, Div. of Nuclear Engineering (United States)

2007-07-01

Monte Carlo particle transport methods and software (MCNP) have been applied to the modelling, simulation and neutronic analysis for the conversion of the HEU-fuelled (high enrichment uranium) core of the Ghana Research Reactor-1 (GHARR-1) facility. The results show that the MCNP model of the GHARR-1 facility, which is a commercial version of the Miniature Neutron Source Reactor (MNSR) is good as the simulated neutronic and other reactor physics parameters agree with very well with experimental and zero power results. Three UO{sub 2} LEU (low enrichment uranium) fuels with different enrichments (12.6% and 19.75%), core configurations, core loadings were utilized in the conversion studies. The nuclear criticality and kinetic parameters obtained from the Monte Carlo simulation and neutronic analysis using three UO{sub 2} LEU fuels are in close agreement with results obtained for the reference 90.2% U-Al HEU core. The neutron flux variation in the core, fission chamber and irradiation channels for the LEU UO{sub 2} fuels show the same trend as the HEU core as presented in the paper. The Monte Carlo model confirms a reduction (8% max) in the peak neutron fluxes simulated in the irradiation channels which are utilized for experimental and commercial activities. However, the reductions or 'losses' in the flux levels neither affects the criticality safety, reactor operations and safety nor utilization of the reactor. Employing careful core loading optimization techniques and fuel loadings and enrichment, it is possible to eliminate the apparent reductions or 'losses' in the neutron fluxes as suggested in this paper. Concerning neutronics, it can be concluded that all the 3 LEU fuels qualify as LEU candidates for core conversion of the GHARR-1 facility.

Neutron Flux Depression in the UO{sub 2}-PuO{sub 2}(15 to 30%) Fuel Rods from IVO-FR2-Vg7-Irradiation Experiment; Depresion de flujo neutronico en las barras combustibles de UO2-PuO2(15 al 30%) del experimento de irradiacion IVO-FR2-Vg7

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lopez, J; Fernandez, J L

1983-07-01

The thermal-neutron flux depression within a fuel rod has a great influence in the radial temperature profile of the rod, especially for high enrichment fuel. For this reason, a study was made about the UO{sub 2}-PUO{sub 2} (15 to 30% PUO{sub 2}) fuel pins for the KfK-JEN joint irradiation program IVO, in the FR2 reactor. Different methods (diffusion, Bonalumi, successive generations) were compared and a new approach (parabolic approximation) was developed. (Author) 22 refs.

UO2 Fuel pellet impurities, pellet surface roughness and n(18O)/n(16O) ratios, applied to nuclear forensic science

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Pajo, L.

2001-01-01

In the last decade, law enforcement has faced the problem of illicit trafficking of nuclear materials. Nuclear forensic science is a new branch of science that enables the identification of seized nuclear material. The identification is not based on a fixed scheme, but further identification parameters are decided based on previous identification results. The analysis is carried out by using traditional analysis methods and applying modern measurement technology. The parameters are generally not unambiguous and not self-explanatory. In order to have a full picture about the origin of seized samples, several identification parameters should be used together and the measured data should be compared to corresponding data from known sources. A nuclear material database containing data from several fabrication plants is installed for the purpose. In this thesis the use of UO 2 fabrication plant specific parameters, fuel impurities, fuel pellet surface roughness and oxygen isotopic ratio in UO 2 were investigated for identification purposes in nuclear forensic science. The potential use of these parameters as 'fingerprints' is discussed for identification purposes of seized nuclear materials. Impurities of the fuel material vary slightly according to the fabrication method employed and a plant environment. Here the impurities of the seized UO 2 were used in order to have some clues about the origin of the fuel material by comparing a measured data to nuclear database information. More certainty in the identification was gained by surface roughness of the UO 2 fuel pellets, measured by mechanical surface profilometry. Categories in surface roughness between a different fuel element type and a producer were observed. For the time oxygen isotopic ratios were determined by Thermal Ionisation Mass Speckometry (TIMS). Thus a TIMS measurement method, using U 16 O + and U 18 0 + ions, was developed and optimised to achieve precise oxygen isotope ratio measurements for the

Study by electronic structure calculations of the radiation damage in the UO2 nuclear fuel: behaviour of the point defects and fission gases

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vathonne, Emerson

2014-01-01

Uranium dioxide (UO 2 ) is worldwide the most widely used fuel in nuclear plants in the world and in particular in pressurized water reactors (PWR). In-pile the fission of uranium nuclei creates fission products and point defects in the fuel. The understanding of the evolution of these radiation damages requires a multi-scale modelling approach of the nuclear fuel, from the scale of the pellet to the atomic scale. We used an electronic structure calculation method based on the density functional theory (DFT) to model radiation damage in UO 2 at the atomic scale. A Hubbard-type Coulomb interaction term is added to the standard DFT formalism to take into account the strong correlations of the 5f electrons in UO 2 . This method is used to study point defects with various charge states and the incorporation and diffusion of krypton in uranium dioxide. This study allowed us to obtain essential data for higher scale models but also to interpret experimental results. In parallel of this study, three ways to improve the state of the art of electronic structure calculations of UO 2 have been explored: the consideration of the spin-orbit coupling neglected in current point defect calculations, the application of functionals allowing one to take into account the non-local interactions such as van der Waals interactions important for rare gases and the use of the Dynamical Mean Field Theory combined to the DFT method in order to take into account the dynamical effects in the 5f electron correlations. (author) [fr

Control rod effects on reaction rate distributions in tight pitched PuO2-UO2 fuel assembly

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gil, Choong-Sup; Okumura, Keisuke; Ishiguro, Yukio

1991-11-01

Investigations were made for the heterogeneity effects caused by insertion or withdrawal of a B 4 C control rod on fine structure of reaction rates distributions in a tight pitched PuO 2 -UO 2 fuel assembly. Analysis was carried out by using the VIM and SRAC codes with the libraries based on JENDL-2 for the hexagonal fuel assembly basically corresponding to the PROTEUS-LWHCR experimental core. The reaction rates are affected more remarkably by the withdrawal of the control rod rather than its insertion. The changes of the reaction rates were decomposed into three terms of spectrum shifts, the changes of effective cross sections with fine groups, and their higher order components. From the analysis, it is concluded that most changes of reaction rates are caused by spectral shifts. The SRAC code with fine group constants can predict the distribution of reaction rates and their ratios with the accuracy of about 5 % except for the values related to Pu-242 capture rate, as compared with the VIM results. To increase the accuracy, it is necessary to generate the effective cross sections of the fuel near control rods with consideration of the heterogeneities in the fuel assembly. (author)

Results of the irradiation of mixed UO2 - PuO2 oxide fuel elements

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mikailoff, H.; Mustelier, J.P.; Bloch, J.; Ezran, L.; Hayet, L.

1966-01-01

In order to study the behaviour of fuel elements used for the first charge of the reactor Rapsodie, a first batch of eleven needles was irradiated in the reactor EL3 and then examined. These needles (having a shape very similar lo that of the actual needles to be used) were made up of a stack of sintered mixed-oxide pellets: UO 2 containing about 10 per cent of PuO 2 . The density was 85 to 97 per cent of the theoretical, value. The diametral gap between the oxide and the stainless steel can was between 0,06 and 0,27 mm. The specific powers varied from 1230 to 2700 W/cm 3 and the can temperature was between 450 and 630 C. The maximum burn-up attained was 22000 MW days/tonne. Examination of the needles (metrology, radiography and γ-spectrography) revealed certain macroscopic changes, and the evolution of the fuel was shown by micrographic studies. These observations were used, together with flux measurements results, to calculate the temperature distribution inside the fuel. The volume of the fission gas produced was measured in some of the samples; the results are interpreted taking into account the temperature distribution in the oxide and the burn-up attained. Finally a study was made both of the behaviour of a fuel element whose central part was molten during irradiation, and of the effect of sodium which had penetrated into some of the samples following can rupture. (author) [fr