| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2023 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Ceramic Materials for Nuclear Energy Research and Applications
|
| Presentation Title |
Surface Modification Strategies for Hydrogen Retention in Hydride Moderators |
| Author(s) |
Reid Bohanon, Felipe Caliari, Sanjay Sampath, Erik Luther, Stephen Raiman |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Reid Bohanon |
| Abstract Scope |
Hydride moderators can reduce the size and improve the power density of advanced microreactors and nuclear thermal propulsion systems, but rapid hydrogen loss at temperatures above 500 °C remains a challenge. Augmentation of the hydride surface with a ceramic hydrogen barrier can slow hydrogen loss. To rapidly identify optimal methods, two strategies for surface modification were pursued in parallel: direct ceramic application with thermal spray and reactive ceramic growth. Coupons of ZrH and YH were sprayed with yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ). Meanwhile, similar coupons of ZrH and YH were oxidized in air and pure O2. Both sets of samples were examined with optical and electron microscopy, as well as x-ray diffraction (XRD). This talk will present the initial results of both approaches and discuss their implications for future development. Historical context for the hydrogen loss problem and brief discussion of alternate approaches will also be given. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Nuclear Materials, Ceramics, Surface Modification and Coatings |