| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
Materials in Nuclear Energy Systems (MiNES) 2021
|
| Symposium
|
Materials in Nuclear Energy Systems (MiNES) 2021
|
| Presentation Title |
Phase and Thermodynamic Analysis of Uranium Mononitride in High-temperature Steam Light Water Reactor Atmospheres |
| Author(s) |
Geronimo Robles, Brian A. Brigham, Joshua T. White, Elizabeth S. Sooby |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Geronimo Robles |
| Abstract Scope |
Uranium mononitride (UN) is investigated here as an accident tolerant fuel candidate for deployment in light water reactors (LWR) due to advantages in uranium density and thermal conductivity when compared to UO<sub>2</sub>. Implementation of a fuel with these properties would allow for increased fuel economy, lower fuel centerline temperatures and longer response times during off-normal conditions. However, data for UN exposures to off-normal LWR atmospheres is limited.
Presented here are the results from experimental measurements of UN pellets sintered to theoretical densities > 90% and oxidized in high temperature steam and steam+H<sub>2</sub>. Experiments were performed under thermal ramp conditions to 1200 °C and isothermal holds at 400 and 500 °C. Thermogravimetric analysis confirmed a dependence on pellet density to the oxidation dynamics under both ramp and isotherms. Characterization techniques include powder x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy detailing the oxidation products and degradation mechanisms present following exposure. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Undecided |