Abstract Scope |
Ceramic fuels such as uranium nitride and uranium carbides, including mixed uranium solid solution carbides, possess many performance advantages (i.e. high melting point, high thermal conductivity, and high uranium density). These fuel candidates have been explored, to varying degrees, over the years for fast reactors, light water reactors, and more recently space rectors. Specialty microreactors are a relatively new class of reactors that is currently receiving heavy investment form industry vendors and research government institutions. Microreactor technologies can support terrestrial power applications, where grid support is limited, and extraterrestrial applications supporting manned missions for deep space exploration and can present unique design and materials challenges. In this talk, the challenges associated with microreactors ranging from propulsion reactors to Westinghouse’s eVinci reactor and LANL proposed designs will be discussed. In all cases, fuels that enable specific requirements and can withstand exposure to extreme environments throughout the reactor lifetime are key. |