Post-Irradiation Evaluation of a Plate-Type UO$sub 2$ Fuel Element

Post-Irradiation Evaluation of a Plate-Type UO$sub 2$ Fuel Element PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

Get Book Here

Book Description
The premature failure of fuel Element M22, which had six compartments of 0.100-in.-thick, 96% TD UO/sub 2/ + 6 wt% ZrO/sub 2/ fuel, was attributed to the large irradiation-induced solid volume swelling of the UO/sub 2/ fuels. This volume swelling was the result of incomplete homogenization during fabrication of the mixed and sintered U/sup E/O/sub 2/ and U/sup N/O/sub 2/ fuel s in Element M22. In addition, heavy hydriding of the Ni-free Zircaloy-2 cladding occurred in the relatively hot areas adjacent to the fuel and to a lesser extent at the external cladding surfaces. By postulation, H/sub 2/ was apparently formed by the radiolytic decomposition of water entrapped between fuel and cladding after formation of the initial cladding defect, and was absorbed by the cladding so rapidly that it could not diffuse adequately down the thermal gradient to the cold side of the cladding. The corrosion behavior of the cladding was as expected and did not contribute to the hydriding. Analysis of the CR-X-3 loop operating history indicates that no abnormal conditions external to Element M22 existed in the loop other than U from inpile intentionally defected fuel elements. (auth).

Post-Irradiation Evaluation of a Plate-Type UO$sub 2$ Fuel Element

Post-Irradiation Evaluation of a Plate-Type UO$sub 2$ Fuel Element PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

Get Book Here

Book Description
The premature failure of fuel Element M22, which had six compartments of 0.100-in.-thick, 96% TD UO/sub 2/ + 6 wt% ZrO/sub 2/ fuel, was attributed to the large irradiation-induced solid volume swelling of the UO/sub 2/ fuels. This volume swelling was the result of incomplete homogenization during fabrication of the mixed and sintered U/sup E/O/sub 2/ and U/sup N/O/sub 2/ fuel s in Element M22. In addition, heavy hydriding of the Ni-free Zircaloy-2 cladding occurred in the relatively hot areas adjacent to the fuel and to a lesser extent at the external cladding surfaces. By postulation, H/sub 2/ was apparently formed by the radiolytic decomposition of water entrapped between fuel and cladding after formation of the initial cladding defect, and was absorbed by the cladding so rapidly that it could not diffuse adequately down the thermal gradient to the cold side of the cladding. The corrosion behavior of the cladding was as expected and did not contribute to the hydriding. Analysis of the CR-X-3 loop operating history indicates that no abnormal conditions external to Element M22 existed in the loop other than U from inpile intentionally defected fuel elements. (auth).

Post-irradiation Evaluation of a Plate-type UO2 Fuel Element

Post-irradiation Evaluation of a Plate-type UO2 Fuel Element PDF Author: H. B. Meieran
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Nuclear fuel elements
Languages : en
Pages : 86

Get Book Here

Book Description


Post-irradiation evaluation of fuel elements irradiated in superheated steam : Part 2 fission gas release

Post-irradiation evaluation of fuel elements irradiated in superheated steam : Part 2 fission gas release PDF Author: D. M. Evans
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Get Book Here

Book Description


Postirradiation Examination and Evaluation of an OMRE Fuel Assembly

Postirradiation Examination and Evaluation of an OMRE Fuel Assembly PDF Author: Richard J. Burian
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Nuclear fuel elements
Languages : en
Pages : 82

Get Book Here

Book Description
A fuel-element assembly from the first loading of the OMRE was examined in detail after experiencing an average uranium burnup of between 1 and 2 at.%. The rate of decay heat generation was evaluated by temperature monitoring of the shipping-cask coolant. Temperatures of the fuel-element-box assembly and the fuel plates were measured with thermocouples and tempilstiks. Structurally, the fuel-element assembly was affected very little by either radiation or the organic coolant-moderator. Although there was some distortion in the side and end plates of the assembly, the coolant channels between the fuel plates were free from major fouling and obstructions. The channel cross sections were reduced at specific points less than 5 per cent. The plates studied were subjected to complete gamma scanning. Specimens removed from selected areas of the scanned plates were radiochemically analyzed for burnup and the results correlated with the gamma-scan data. Burnup profiles were constructed for each of the scanned plates. The gamma-scan data were also utilized to determine the average plate burnup. (auth).

Energy Research Abstracts

Energy Research Abstracts PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Power resources
Languages : en
Pages : 602

Get Book Here

Book Description


Postirradiation Examination of a Low Enriched U[sub 3]i[sub 2]-Al Fuel Element Manufactured and Irradiated at Batan, Indonesia

Postirradiation Examination of a Low Enriched U[sub 3]i[sub 2]-Al Fuel Element Manufactured and Irradiated at Batan, Indonesia PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

Get Book Here

Book Description
The first low-enriched U[sub 3]Si[sub 2]-Al dispersion plate-type fuel element produced at the Nuclear Fuel Element Center, BATAN, Indonesia, was irradiated to a peak [sup 235]U burnup of 62%. Postirradiation examinations performed to data shows the irradiation behavior of this element to be similar to that of U[sub 3]Si[sub 2]-Al plate-type fuel produced and tested at other institutions. The main effect of irradiation on the fuel plates is a thickness increase of 30--40 [mu]m (2.5-3.0%). This thickness increase is almost entirely due to the formation of a corrosion layer (Boehmite). The contribution of fuel swelling to the thickness increase is rather small (less than 10 [mu]m) commensurate with the burnup of the fuel and the relatively moderate as-fabricated fuel volume fraction of 27% in the fuel meat.

Post-Irradiation Examination of Appr Fuel Element Irradiation Program Specimens

Post-Irradiation Examination of Appr Fuel Element Irradiation Program Specimens PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

Get Book Here

Book Description
APPR-type dispersion fuel element specimens containing temperature to respective burnups of approximately 50, 20, and 20% of uranium with no evidence of gross dimensional changes or loss of structural integrity. Blistering and/or core cracking has occurred when sections of 17.9 wt.% UO/sub 2/ specimens irradiated to burnups over 40% of uranium were subjected to post-irradiation annealing at 600 deg F for 24 hours. Post-irradiation core hardness measurements indicate that significant differences in irradiation damage exist between the various specimen types. These data indicate that the effects of the fabrication variables investigated in this program are as follows: The severity of irradiation damage in dispersion type fuel elements is inversely proportional to the UO/sub 2/ particle size of the fabricated plate. The particle size of the UO/ sub 2/ powder used in preparation of the initial core compact and the method of preparation of the UO/sub 2/ powders largely determine the final UO/sub 2/ particle size of roll-bonded, dispersion fuel plates. The particle size of the stainless steel powder used in the initial core mixture and the degree of cold reduction during final sizing of the fuel plate are apparently of relatively minor importance, at least for the systems investigated in this program. The severity of irradiation damage is directly proportional to the fuel concentration. Where an increased fuel loading is accompanied by an increase in the loading of the B/sub 4/C burnable poison to facilitate reactor control, the possibility of serious irradiation effects is increased to an even greater degree. (auth).

Postirradiation Examination of a Low Enriched U3Si2-Al Fuel Element Manufactured and Irradiated at Batan, Indonesia

Postirradiation Examination of a Low Enriched U3Si2-Al Fuel Element Manufactured and Irradiated at Batan, Indonesia PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 9

Get Book Here

Book Description
The first low-enriched U3Si2-Al dispersion plate-type fuel element produced at the Nuclear Fuel Element Center, BATAN, Indonesia, was irradiated to a peak 235U burnup of 62%. Postirradiation examinations performed to data shows the irradiation behavior of this element to be similar to that of U3Si2-Al plate-type fuel produced and tested at other institutions. The main effect of irradiation on the fuel plates is a thickness increase of 30--40 [mu]m (2.5-3.0%). This thickness increase is almost entirely due to the formation of a corrosion layer (Boehmite). The contribution of fuel swelling to the thickness increase is rather small (less than 10 [mu]m) commensurate with the burnup of the fuel and the relatively moderate as-fabricated fuel volume fraction of 27% in the fuel meat.

The Post-irradiation Examination of the D7 (XPR-2) Fuel Element

The Post-irradiation Examination of the D7 (XPR-2) Fuel Element PDF Author: L.J. Hankart
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 21

Get Book Here

Book Description


Post-irradiation Examination of U3Si{sub 1.6}-Al Dispersion Fuel Element LC04

Post-irradiation Examination of U3Si{sub 1.6}-Al Dispersion Fuel Element LC04 PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 16

Get Book Here

Book Description
A low-enrichment uranium (LEU) irradiation test (SIMONE project) was performed in the 45 MW Petten High-flux Reactor (HFR) as part of the Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactor (RERTR) program. An LEU U3Si{sub 1.6}-Al dispersion fuel element with a fuel loading of 5.5 g cm−3 was irradiated and performed well to a total burnup of 66% and a peak burnup of 85%. The swelling behavior of the fuel was similar to that observed in previous U3Si(subscript x) irradiation experiments. The resulting fuel plate thickness increases and associated changes in coolant channel cross-sections were well within acceptable limits.