Irradiation of SiC-clad fuel rods in the HFIR

L. J. Ott, G. L. Bell, R. J. Ellis, J. L. McDuffee, R. N. Morris

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

During 2009 and- 2010, a new test capability for the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) was developed that allows testing of advanced nuclear fuels and cladding under prototypic light-water-reactor (LWR) operating conditions (i.e., cladding and fuel temperatures, fuel average linear heat generation rates, and cladding fluence). For the initial experiments in this test program, ORNL teamed with commercial fuel/cladding vendors who had developed an advanced composite-wound SiC cladding material for possible use in LWRs. The first experiment, containing SiC-clad UN fuel, was inserted in HFIR in June 2010, and the second experiment, containing SiC-clad UO2 fuel, was inserted in October 2010. Two capsules (one containing UN fuel and the other UO2) were withdrawn from their respective assemblies in November 2011 at an estimated fuel burnup of approximately 10 GWd/MTHM; and two capsules (one containing UN fuel and the other UO2) were withdrawn from their respective assemblies in February 2013 at an estimated fuel burnup of approximately 20 GWd/MTHM. These capsules are currently awaiting PIE. This paper will describe the experiment, as-run operating conditions for these capsules, and current PIE plans and status.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationLWR Fuel Performance Meeting, Top Fuel 2013
PublisherAmerican Nuclear Society
Pages1063-1070
Number of pages8
ISBN (Print)9781629937212
StatePublished - 2013
EventLWR Fuel Performance Meeting, Top Fuel 2013 - Charlotte, NC, United States
Duration: Sep 15 2013Sep 19 2013

Publication series

NameLWR Fuel Performance Meeting, Top Fuel 2013
Volume2

Conference

ConferenceLWR Fuel Performance Meeting, Top Fuel 2013
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityCharlotte, NC
Period09/15/1309/19/13

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