Abstract
Several drives exist to enhance reactor performance by pursuing alternatives to the UO2-Zr system for nuclear energy production. They encompass economics, primarily in the form of improved fuel cycle cost, and safety through increased safety margins. Westinghouse is leading development effort of uranium nitride fuel to support the Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF), Lead Fast Reactor (LFR) and Small Modular Reactor (SMR). In this article, the efforts of Westinghouse are presented and the synergies between programs are highlighted. Initiatives to improve water resistance of UN are reported - combining modeling and experiments to design an alloy with tuned properties for improved performance. In support of the Westinghouse LFR program, the program includes manufacturing efforts from UF6, chemical compatibility tests between uranium nitride and cladding material, and UN-SIMFUEL production for separate effect tests are also presented. To gain experience in performance a mini disc irradiation test has being planned and is schedule to occur in 2023 following by post irradiation examinations (PIEs).
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Proceedings of TopFuel 2022 Light Water Reactor Fuel Performance Conference |
| Publisher | American Nuclear Society |
| Pages | 182-186 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9780894487941 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2022 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | TopFuel 2022 Light Water Reactor Fuel Performance Conference - Raleigh, United States Duration: Oct 9 2022 → Oct 13 2022 |
Publication series
| Name | Proceedings of TopFuel 2022 Light Water Reactor Fuel Performance Conference |
|---|
Conference
| Conference | TopFuel 2022 Light Water Reactor Fuel Performance Conference |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United States |
| City | Raleigh |
| Period | 10/9/22 → 10/13/22 |
Funding
This material is based upon work supported by the Department of Energy under Award Number DENE0009033. This material is based upon work supported by the Department of Energy under Award Number DENE0009033. Westinghouse would like to acknowledge the support provided by the UK Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) as part of Phase 2 of the Advanced Modular Reactor (AMR) program. We also acknowledge the financial support from The Swedish Strategic Research Foundation (SSF) within the SAFETY-project and SUNRISE-project. Westinghouse would like to acknowledge the support provided by the UK Department for usB iness, Energy & Industrial Strategy (EB IS) as part of Phase 2 of the Advanced Modular Reactor (AMR) program. We also acknowledge the financial support from The Swedish Strategic Research Foundation (SSF) within the SAFETY -project and SUNRISE-project.