| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
Materials in Nuclear Energy Systems (MiNES) 2021
|
| Symposium
|
Materials in Nuclear Energy Systems (MiNES) 2021
|
| Presentation Title |
Determination of Tritium Trapping Mechanisms in the TPBAR Aluminide Coating |
| Author(s) |
Anne Chaka, Bruce Schmitt |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Anne Chaka |
| Abstract Scope |
The 316SS cladding and its iron aluminide coating of the Tritium Producing Burnable Absorber Rods (TPBAR) serve as both a structural pressure boundary and a permeation barrier in order to retain tritium within the TPBAR. Experimental results have determined that tritium is retained in the aluminide barrier region at a concentration several orders of magnitude greater than can be explained by solubility alone, suggesting that other trapping or binding mechanisms are involved. The cladding is subject to both hydrogen and tritium flux, so the binding energies of both need to be determined. We utilize first principles quantum mechanics (density functional theory) in combination with ab initio thermodynamics to determine the free energy of binding for tritium and protium in the aluminum-rich phases of the aluminide coating as a function of temperature and pressure. Both Fe and Al vacancy sites are evaluated as well as interstitial sites. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Undecided |