| Abstract Scope |
Lanthanide-induced fuel-cladding chemical interaction (FCCI) represents the primary factor that limits the burnup and residence time of a metal fuel pin. In contrast to UO2, where lanthanides are stabilized through oxygen bonding, in U-Zr based fuels, lanthanides exist as free atoms, leading to their migration towards the periphery of the fuel. The presentation will cover the characterization of U-Zr based fuels, mechanism of lanthanide migration, consequences of FCCI, and FCCI mitigation methods. The authors have collaborated extensively to gain insights into the migration behavior of lanthanides within the fuel and address the challenges posed by FCCI. The approach has encompassed a wide array of techniques, including the application of thermodynamic principles, density functional theory (DFT) simulations, fuel pin fabrication, diffusion experiments, state-of-the-art characterization methods, and post-irradiation examination (PIE). Through these endeavors, the authors aim to identify the most suitable lanthanide stabilizers for effective mitigation of FCCI. |