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Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactors
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Abstracts and Available Papers Presented at the
2004 International RERTR Meeting

DEVELOPMENT, IRRADIATION TESTING AND PIE OF UMo FUEL AT AECL

D.F. Sears, A. Davidson, J. Mason, C. Buchanan and P. Ryan
AECL, Chalk River Laboratories Chalk River, Ontario K0J 1J0 Canada


ABSTRACT
 

This paper reviews recent U-Mo dispersion fuel development, irradiation testing and postirradiation examination (PIE) activities at AECL. Low-enriched uranium fuel alloys and powders have been fabricated at Chalk River Labs, with compositions ranging from U-7Mo to U-10Mo. The bulk alloys and powders were characterized using optical and scanning electron microscopy, chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction and neutron diffraction analysis. The analyses confirmed that the powders were of high quality, and in the desired gamma phase. Subsequently, kilogram quantities of DU-Mo and LEU-Mo powder have been manufactured for commercial customers. Mini-elements have been fabricated with LEU-7Mo and LEU-10Mo dispersed in aluminum, with a nominal loading of 4.5 gU/cm3. These have been irradiated in the NRU reactor at linear powers up to 100 kW/m. The mini-elements achieved 60 atom% 235U burnup in 2004 March, and the irradiation is continuing to a planned discharge burnup of 80 atom% 235U. Interim PIE has been conducted on mini-elements that were removed after 20 atom% 235U burnup. The PIE results are presented in this paper.


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Last modified on July 29, 2008 11:33 +0200