STEAM OXIDATION BEHAVIOR OF SINTERED HIGH-DENSITY URANIUM NITRIDE PELLETS VIA THERMOGRAVIMETRIC ANALYSIS

Danielle Gagen, John Lyons, Brian Ricketts, Michael Sivack, Ed Lahoda, Kathryn Metzger, Denise Adorno Lopes, Antoine Claisse, Joshua White, Kenneth McClellan, Jamie Stull, Scarlett Widgeon Paisner

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

Abstract

Sintered high-density (HD) uranium nitride (UN) pellets were prepared at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). These test articles were received at the Westinghouse Churchill Hot Cell Facility to undergo Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) steam oxidation studies. Similar TGA steam oxidation testing strategies were performed at Westinghouse partnered facilities, specifically LANL, on coated pellets to inhibit the UN-steam reaction. Discussion on coatings and their impact on corrosion performance are discussed. Steam temperature ramp experiments were evaluated to determine >94% dense UN onset temperature, terminal oxidation temperature and total mass change at terminal oxidation. Oxidation kinetics were evaluated through completion of isothermal hold temperature profiles for uncoated UN. To further characterize the corrosion behavior of UN pellets as they are exposed to flowing steam environments, this article will discuss the TGA testing specifics and results including oxidation behavior findings.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of TopFuel 2022 Light Water Reactor Fuel Performance Conference
PublisherAmerican Nuclear Society
Pages60-67
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9780894487941
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022
Externally publishedYes
EventTopFuel 2022 Light Water Reactor Fuel Performance Conference - Raleigh, United States
Duration: Oct 9 2022Oct 13 2022

Publication series

NameProceedings of TopFuel 2022 Light Water Reactor Fuel Performance Conference

Conference

ConferenceTopFuel 2022 Light Water Reactor Fuel Performance Conference
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityRaleigh
Period10/9/2210/13/22

Funding

This material is based upon work supported by the Department of Energy under Award Number DENE0009903. This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States 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. Reference 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 United States Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof.

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