| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2024 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Ceramics and Ceramic-based Composites for Nuclear Fission Applications
|
| Presentation Title |
Advanced Fuel for Integrating Nuclear SMRs with Renewables |
| Author(s) |
James Edwin Portwin, Patrick Burr, Jessica Veliscek Carolan, Edward Obbard, Gordon Thorogood |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
James Edwin Portwin |
| Abstract Scope |
Iodine-induced stress corrosion cracking of zirconium cladding is likely to become a limiting factor on the capabilities of load-following in commercial reactors. We propose a strategy to prevent PCCI by locking iodine within a pellet matrix to reduce/retard cladding interaction, sequestering it into secondary phases with high chemical affinities to iodine. Iodine trapping additives/dopants will be mixed homogeneously in UO2 through a sol-gel synthesis method before a source of iodine (CsI) is powdered, incorporated, and a pellet is pressed and sintered. Iodine release can be measured via TGA through volatilisation of CsI, allowing us to determine the dopants’ potential to lock iodine in a UO2 pellet matrix. Preliminary results indicate challenges associated with methods of iodine implantation into pellets; sintering of CsI volatilises iodine prematurely. A complimentary approach of implanting iodine through ion accelerators avoids the issues of iodine volatilisation during sintering; however, limits the interaction region around 130 nm. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Nuclear Materials, Ceramics, Characterization |