Abstract
This work describes the microstructural and elemental characterization of irradiated metallic fuels containing palladium as an additive. The use of additives has been proposed to control Fuel-Cladding Chemical Interaction (FCCI) and thus to promote higher fuel utilization (i.e., higher burnup). In this work, Pd has been investigated as a potential additive to metallic fuel to bind lanthanides, impeding their migration and attack on the cladding. The influence of Pd on the microstructure, chemistry and performance of metallic fuel has been characterized via scanning electron microscopy for two metallic fuel designs—namely, annular and solid fuel. Pd was observed to play an important role in the chemistry of the fuel. Indeed, the addition of Pd leads to the formation of new phases. Pd was detected to combine not only with the lanthanides, as intended, but also with Zr, a main element of the fuel matrix. While Pd proved to be effective in preventing lanthanide migration and their attack on the cladding, the Pd-Zr compound may potentially lead to other unexpected fuel-performance issues, such as the formation of low-melting point phases and increased unalloyed U available for FCCI interaction with Fe in the cladding. Even the increase of Zr to 13wt%. did not completely mitigate this adverse phenomenon generated by the Pd-Zr interaction. Thus, the efficacy of using this additive needs further investigation.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 153403 |
| Journal | Journal of Nuclear Materials |
| Volume | 558 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 2022 |
Funding
Much of this work was supported through the Department of Energy, Advanced Fuels Campaign, under DOE Idaho Operations Office Contract DE-AC07–05ID14517. Accordingly, the U.S. Government retains and the publisher, by accepting the article for publication, acknowledges that the U.S. Government retains a nonexclusive, paid-up, irrevocable, world-wide license to publish or reproduce the published form of this manuscript, or allow others to do so, for U.S. Government purposes. Mr. A. Winston and Mr. A. Pomo are thanked for extensive sample preparation. Dr. D. Porter is thanked for the fruitful discussion. The Electron Microscopy Laboratory (EML) and Dr. J.-F. Jue are especially acknowledged for experiment coordination and for the scientific and technical support. This information was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the U.S. Government. Neither the U.S. Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. References herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the U.S. Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the U.S. Government or any agency thereof. Much of this work was supported through the Department of Energy, Advanced Fuels Campaign, under DOE Idaho Operations Office Contract DE-AC07–05ID14517. Accordingly, the U.S. Government retains and the publisher, by accepting the article for publication, acknowledges that the U.S. Government retains a nonexclusive, paid-up, irrevocable, world-wide license to publish or reproduce the published form of this manuscript, or allow others to do so, for U.S. Government purposes. Mr. A. Winston and Mr. A. Pomo are thanked for extensive sample preparation. Dr. D. Porter is thanked for the fruitful discussion. The Electron Microscopy Laboratory (EML) and Dr. J.-F. Jue are especially acknowledged for experiment coordination and for the scientific and technical support.
Keywords
- Additives
- Advanced fuel design
- FCCI
- Metallic fuel
- PIE
- Pd