| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2025 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Microstructural, Mechanical, and Chemical Behavior of Solid Nuclear Fuel and Fuel-Cladding Interface II
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| Presentation Title |
Understanding the Impact That the UO2 Radial Microstructural Evolution has on Temperature Transient Performance in LWR Pellets |
| Author(s) |
Casey S. McKinney, Jesse Werden, Chad Parish, Lauryn Reyes, Matthew Jones, Tyler Gerczak, Jason Harp, Nathan Capps |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Casey S. McKinney |
| Abstract Scope |
In high burnup LWR UO2, above ~55-62 MWd/kgU, the UO2 microstructure is susceptible to severe fragmentation when subjected to a loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) transient. During a LOCA event the cladding can balloon and burst, which can cause fragmented fuel to be dispersed into the core. The issue of fuel fragmentation, relocation, and dispersal (FFRD) needs to be better understood before the discharge burnup limit of these commercial rods can be extended, which is a revitalized effort in the US nuclear industry. To address this, multiple commercial fuel rod segments underwent extensive post-irradiation examination (PIE) and simulated LOCA testing. The PIE characterization focused on the microstructural evolution of the LWR pellets. This was compared to the microstructures observed in the segments that underwent LOCA testing to determine any microstructural features that may be contributing to high burnup fuel fragmentation. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Nuclear Materials, Characterization, |