EPMA of ground U(Mo) fuel with and without Si added to the matrix, irradiated to high burnup

Ann Leenaers, Sven Van den Berghe, Francois Charollais, Patrick Lemoine, Christophe Jarousse, Anton Rohrmoser, Winfried Petry, Wouter Van Renterghem

    Research outputpeer-review

    Abstract

    In the framework of the IRIS-TUM irradiation program, several full size, flat dispersion fuel plates containing ground U(Mo) fuel kernels in an aluminum matrix, with and without addition of silicon (2 w%), have been irradiated in the OSIRIS reactor [1]. Microstructural analyses (optical and scanning electron microscopy [2]) on samples from these plates, showed that the irradiation of ground fuel dispersed in an Al-2.1wt%Si matrix to a local maximum burn-up of 88 % 235U LEU equivalent (5.9×1021 f/cm3 U(Mo)), has resulted in a considerable, but yet not break-away swelling of the fuel plate. Comparison to the fuel plate with no Si added up to a burn-up of 66.5 % 235U LEU equivalent (4.4×1021 f/cm3 U(Mo)), again shows the (moderate) positive effect of adding Si, in this case mainly to delay the growth of the U(Mo)-Al-Si interaction layer. Electron probe micro-analyses, provide additional information on the role of Si and the fission gas behavior in ground fuel.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationRRFM2010 Transactions
    Place of PublicationBelgium
    StatePublished - Mar 2010
    Event2010 - RRFM - 14th ENS Topical Meeting on Research Reactor Fuel Management - European Nuclear Society, Marrakech
    Duration: 21 Mar 201025 Mar 2010
    http://www.euronuclear.org/meetings/rrfm2010/

    Conference

    Conference2010 - RRFM - 14th ENS Topical Meeting on Research Reactor Fuel Management
    Country/TerritoryMorocco
    CityMarrakech
    Period2010-03-212010-03-25
    Internet address

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