About this Abstract |
Meeting |
MS&T22: Materials Science & Technology
|
Symposium
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Ceramics for a New Generation of Nuclear Energy Systems and Applications
|
Presentation Title |
Fabrication and Properties of Sintered Yttrium Hydride |
Author(s) |
Aditya P. Shivprasad, Vedant K. Mehta, Joshua T. White, Michael W.D. Cooper, Tarik A. Saleh, Joseph R. Wermer, Erik P. Luther, Holly R. Trellue, D.V. Rao |
On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Aditya P. Shivprasad |
Abstract Scope |
One current challenge to the nuclear industry is the ability to integrate nuclear energy with microgrids. One proposed microreactor design to integrate with microgrids uses yttrium hydride as the neutron moderator due to its high hydrogen density and thermal stability, enabling the operation of thermal spectrum reactors to high temperatures and, thus, enhancing fuel utilization and cost-effectiveness while keeping the core transportable. However, it is difficult to produce yttrium hydride in geometries required for reactor design concepts.
In this study, yttrium hydride pellets were fabricated using powder metallurgical methods. Thermogravimetric analysis was used to determine mass change as a function of temperature and sintering environment. Pellets were then analyzed for elastic moduli, thermal diffusivity, coefficient of thermal expansion, and heat capacity. Results will relate the properties of the sintered pellets with those of hydrided monoliths in literature. |