Microscopic Analysis of Irradiated UN-Mo-W for Space Nuclear Propulsion
Nuclear propulsion is an effective method of providing thrust in deep space, allowing for shorter mission duration for long-term surface missions to Mars. The fuel for nuclear propulsion systems must exhibit superior mechanical and thermal properties, to decrease the possibility of fuel failure and to increase reactor efficiency. The objective of the Sirius project is […]
Impact of Corrosion Layer Composition and Thermal Pretreatment on the Radiolytic Generation of Molecular Hydrogen from Aluminum Alloys
To fully evaluate the feasibility of extending the dry storage of aluminum-clad spent nuclear fuel (ASNF) in helium-backfilled cannisters, the amount of radiation-induced molecular hydrogen (H2) generated and the impact of absorbed radiation dose on the ASNF corrosion layer composition must be accurately assessed. Here, we report a slowing in the rate of radiolytic H2 […]
Designing Nuclear Fuels with a Multi-Principal Element Alloying Approach
Previous research has shown that multi-principal element alloys (MPEAs) using chromium, molybdenum, niobium, tantalum, titanium, vanadium, and zirconium can form stable body centered cubic (BCC) structures across a large temperature region (25-1000 °C). This is the same structure and space group as ? phase uranium (U) which has shown desirable behavior in previous alloy fuel […]
Milestone 1.2.14: Surface Characterization of Irradiated Surrogate Non-Native Corrosion Plumes on Aluminum 6061-T6 Specimens
The United States Department of Energy is seeking to evaluate the feasibility of extended dry storage of aluminum-clad spent nuclear fuel (ASNF) in helium-backfilled cannisters. A significant research effort has been devoted to determining the amount of radiation-induced molecular hydrogen generation from corrosion layers that would be present on the fuel assembly surfaces. However, to […]
Milestone 1.2.10: Steady-state H2 “roll over” point data for aluminum alloys 1100 and 6061
Extended (> 50 years) dry storage is being evaluated by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for the disposition of ~ 18 metric tons of aluminum-clad spent nuclear fuel (ASNF). Transition of the current ASNF inventory into dry storage—using the standard DOE canister—necessitates a rigorous, predictive understanding of the long-term physical and chemical factors that […]
Radiolytic Gas Production from Aluminum Coupons (Alloy 1100 and 6061) in Helium Environments—Assessing the Extended Storage of Aluminum Clad Spent Nuclear Fuel
Corrosion of aluminium alloy clad nuclear fuel, during reactor operation and under subsequent wet storage conditions, promotes the formation of aluminium hydroxide and oxyhydroxide layers. These hydrated mineral phases and the chemisorbed and physisorbed waters on their surfaces are susceptible to radiation-induced processes that yield molecular hydrogen gas (H2), which has the potential to complicate […]