| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2024 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Frontiers of Materials Award Symposium: Novel Ceramics Processes for Nuclear Applications
|
| Presentation Title |
Flash Sintering, A Novel Technique, for Manufacturing Surrogate and Active Nuclear Materials |
| Author(s) |
Carolyn Grimley, Samira Bostanchi, Robert Harrison, Dave Goddard, Nicholas Barron, Christopher Green, David Pearmain, Jonathan Morgan, Zhao Zhang |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Zhao Zhang |
| Abstract Scope |
This project, conducted through a collaboration between National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL), Lucideon, University of Manchester & Orano, demonstrated a novel flash sintering technology to fabricate dense uranium dioxide (UO2) pellets. The use of unique non-linear control software, developed by Lucideon, has shown to be vital in controlling the flash process and ensuring homogeneous/consistent microstructures. The development started under the Advanced-Fuel-Cycle-Programme (AFCP), whereby flash sintering parameters where optimised to reliably produce homogeneously 96% dense 12.5mm diameter CeO2 pellets. Theoretical densities of 94 - 96% were then achieved on active-material green bodies (UO2) ranging from 6.7-14.1 mm diameter. An assessment was carried out for the industrial scale-up of the technology, based on modifying existing continuous sintering furnaces currently used by Orano. This concluded that for large disposal MOX pellets, the throughput could be increased by over 70% through flash sintering technology with conservative estimates. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: None Selected |
| Keywords |
Other, |