PERFORMANCE OF U-PU-ZR FUEL CAST INTO ZIRCONIUM MOLDS

[摘要] To investigate a means of eliminating quartz mold waste, U-3Zr and U-20.5Pu-3Zr fuel was injection cast into Zr tubes, or sheaths, and clad in 316SS. These elements and U-10Zr and U-19Pu-10Zr fuel elements, cast in the standard manner into disposable quartz molds, were irradiated in EBR-II to 2 at% burnup and removed for interim examination. Measurments of fuel column axial growth indicate that the Zr-sheathed fuel exhibited significantly less axial elongation than the standard-cast fuel (1.3 to 1.8% versus 4.9 to 8.1%). Fuel material extruded through the ends of the Zr sheaths, contacting the cladding in some cases. Transverse metallographic sections reveal cracks in the Zr sheath, indicating that the sheath is not a sufficient barrier between fuel and cladding to reduce fuel-cladding chemical interaction (FCCI). FCCI effects will be monitored as the elements attain higher burnup.

[发布日期] 1993-09-01

[效力级别]  Proceedings Paper