About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
MS&T25: Materials Science & Technology
|
| Symposium
|
Metallic Nuclear Fuel Design, Fabrication and Characterization
|
| Presentation Title |
Three-Dimensional Microstructural Evolution of Irradiated U-10Zr Nuclear Fuel Revealed by Synchrotron X-ray Micro-CT |
| Author(s) |
Anthony Albert Harrup Gutiérrez, Riley Moeykens, Jana Cu Howard, Michael Drakopoulos, Tiankai Yao, Ericmoore Jossou |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Anthony Albert Harrup Gutiérrez |
| Abstract Scope |
Uranium-Zirconium (U-10Zr) is the leading candidate fuel for Sodium Fast Reactors due to its high thermal conductivity and high fuel burnup potential. Understanding its microstructural evolution under irradiation is essential for evaluating in-reactor performance and safety. In this work, we utilize high-resolution synchrotron X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) to investigate the three-dimensional evolution of porosity and microstructural changes in irradiated U-10Zr fuel. This non-destructive technique (micro-CT) reveals features such as pore growth, phase redistribution, and Fuel-Cladding Chemical Interaction. Quantitative analysis of these features provides insights into the mechanisms driving fuel degradation under reactor-relevant conditions. Finally, by coupling the 3D microstructure with thermal conductivity simulation, we assess the impact of evolving microstructure on heat transport in the fuel. These findings enhance our understanding of fuel performance during reactor operation and aid in the design of next generation of metallic fuels with improved operational efficiency. |