Abstract
A compact, nuclear microreactor that utilizes low-enriched uranium fuel is a promising solution to meet U.S. energy demands in nonconventional nuclear markets such as remote and decentralized energy grids. Yttrium hydride (YHx) is a potential moderator material for a microreactor design that reduces the amount of required fuel and provides superior retention of hydrogen at high reactor operating temperatures. Hydrogen diffusion properties in YHx are highly sought after for computer model validation and reactor prototyping. To characterize hydrogen diffusion, a compact dual-zone furnace was developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory and analyzed via neutron imaging at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE). The goal of these measurements is to assess hydrogen diffusion in YHx samples as a function of applied temperature gradients. Included herein is recent progress in technique and furnace developments as well as initial results from concentration- and temperature-gradient measurements at LANSCE. Graphical abstract: Compact dual-zone furnace at LANSCE (Figure presented.)
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1227-1233 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | MRS Advances |
| Volume | 9 |
| Issue number | 16 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Aug 2024 |
Funding
This work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy Microreactor Program and authored by Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC, under Contract No. DE-AC07-05-ID14517 with the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy. Los Alamos National Laboratory, an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, is operated by Triad National Security LLC, for the National Nuclear Security Administration of the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract No. 89233218CNA000001. A portion of this research used resources at the High Flux Isotope Reactor, a DOE Office of Science User Facility operated by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The authors thank Bekki Mills for helpful feedback. This work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy Microreactor Program and authored by Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC, under Contract No. DE-AC07-05-ID14517 with the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy. A portion of this research used resources at the High Flux Isotope Reactor, a DOE Office of Science User Facility operated by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| Oak Ridge National Laboratory | |
| Los Alamos National Laboratory | |
| Office of Science | |
| Office of Nuclear Energy | |
| U.S. Department of Energy | DE-AC07-05-ID14517 |
| U.S. Department of Energy | |
| National Nuclear Security Administration | 89233218CNA000001 |
| National Nuclear Security Administration |