About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
Materials in Nuclear Energy Systems (MiNES) 2025
|
| Symposium
|
Materials in Nuclear Energy Systems (MiNES) 2025
|
| Presentation Title |
Mechanistic Understanding of TRISO Fuel Performance Through Targeted Experiments |
| Author(s) |
William Cureton, Tyler Gerczak, Grant Helmreich, Eddie Lopez Honorato |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
William Cureton |
| Abstract Scope |
Post irradiation examination (PIE) of tristructural isotropic (TRISO) particle fuel is essential to advancing mechanistic understanding of performance and informing modeling and simulation (M&S) tools for reactor safety and licensing. This work highlights targeted PIE experiments of TRISO fuel irradiated as part of the U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Gas Reactor Fuel Development and Qualification (AGR) program. These targeted PIE experiments focus on understanding the evolution of pyrocarbon (PyC) anisotropy, silicon carbide (SiC) microstructure, and kernel behavior at high burnup and temperature. Novel techniques, such as the Two Modulator Generalized Ellipsometry Microscope (2 MGEM), enable high resolution anisotropy mapping across entire PyC layers, surpassing the fidelity of traditional polarimetry. Results indicate irradiation induced anisotropy changes consistent with historic data yet distinct from assumptions in current fuel performance codes (e.g., BISON, PARFUME). Raman spectroscopy is being explored to elucidate irradiation temperature within SiC layers in an effort to benchmark predictions during irradiation. Evolution of the kernel microstructure is observed in UCO fuels under extreme conditions. Complementary synchrotron XRD and neutron scattering are proposed to determine kernel phase composition and short range atomic ordering. These studies fill critical data gaps, supporting verification and validation of M&S models to support deployment of UCO TRISO fuel. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Undecided |