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.
Contact: Dr. Jordi Roglans-Ribas
Technical Director, RERTR Department
Nuclear Engineering Division – 362
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Argonne, IL 60439
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