Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Accident Tolerant Fuels”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 records

Dynamic PRA Methods to Evaluate the Impact on Accident Progression of Accident Tolerant Fuels

Accident tolerant fuels (ATFs) are new nuclear fuels developed in response to the accident at the Fukushima power station in March 2011. The goal of ATFs is to withstand accident scenarios through better performance compared to currently employed fuels (e.g., small-scale hydrogen generation). This paper targets a method for evaluating and comparing ATF performance from a probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) perspective by employing a newly developed combination of event trees and dynamic PRA methods. Compared to classical PRA methods based on event trees and fault trees, dynamic PRA can evaluate with higher resolution the safety impacts of physics dynamics and the timing/sequencing of events on the accident progression without the need to introduce overly conservative modeling assumptions and success criteria. In this paper, we analyze the impact on the accident progression of three different cladding configurations for two initiating events [a large break loss-of-coolant accident (LB-LOCA) and a station blackout (SBO)] by employing dynamic PRA methods. The goal is to compare the safety performance of ATFs (FeCrAl and Cr-coated cladding) and the currently employed Zr-based clad fuel. We employ two different strategies. The first focuses on the identification of success criteria discrepancies between the accident sequences generated by the classical PRA model and the set of simulation runs generated by dynamic PRA using ATF. The second one, on the other hand, directly uses dynamic PRA to evaluate the impact of timing of events (e.g., recovery actions) on accident progression. In conclusion, by applying these methods to the LB-LOCA and SBO initiating events, we show how dynamic PRA methods can provide analysts with detailed and quantitative information on the safety impact of ATFs.

97 - MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Risk-Informed Safety Analysis for Accident Tolerant Fuels

Accident Tolerant Fuels (ATF) are being tested by different nuclear vendors and research organizations and their introduction in the US light water reactors fleet is planned for the second half of the 2020`s. In the framework of the US-DOE Light-Water Reactor Sustainability program, Risk-Informed Systems Analysis pathway, researches are being conducted at the Idaho National Laboratory for developing tools and methods that can help the industry quantifying the benefits from the adoption of ATF technology. In this paper we describe the developed risk-informed methodology including the safety analysis codes improvements, and we present some results for selected accident scenarios. The developed methodology combines INL state-of-the-art deterministic Best Estimate code RELAP5-3D, and Probabilistic Risk Analysis tools RAVEN and SAPHIRE. The analyses are performed on a three-loops pressurized water reactor, simulating Station Blackout and LB-LOCA accidents and considering near-term ATFs, or FeCrAl and Chromium-coated clads. Finally, we show how, applying our methodology, the new Core Damage Frequency can be assessed. The results indicated that the main benefits in introducing near-term ATFs concern a significant reduction in the hydrogen production during accident conditions. No significant Core Damage Frequency reduction was found.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Risk-Informed Safety Analysis for Accident Tolerant Fuels

Accident Tolerant Fuels (ATF) are being tested by different nuclear vendors and research organization and their introduction in light water reactors fleet is planned for the second half of the 2020`s. In the framework of the US-DOE Light-Water Reactor Sustainability program, Risk-Informed Safety Analysis pathway (LWRS-RISA), research activities are being conducted at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) for developing tools and methods that can help the industry in quantifying the ATF introduction benefits. In this paper we describe the developed risk-informed methodology, the codes improvements and we present some results for selected accidental conditions. The developed methodology combines INL state-of-the-art deterministic Best Estimate tools like RELAP5-3D code, and Probabilistic Risk Analysis tools like RAVEN and SAPHIRE codes. The analyses are performed on a three-loops pressurized water reactor (PWR) simulating accidental conditions like Station Blackout and LB-LOCA and considering near-term ATF (FeCrAl and Chromium-coated clads). Finally, we show, through our methodologies, how the delta-Core Damage Frequency can be assessed.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF FeCrAl CLADDING AND U-Si FUEL FOR ACCIDENT TOLERANT FUEL CONCEPTS

Since the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, enhancing the accident tolerance of light water reactors (LWRs) has become an important research topic. In particular, the community is actively developing enhanced fuels and cladding for LWRs to improve safety in the event of accidents in the reactor or spent fuel pools. Fuels with enhanced accident tolerance are those that, in comparison with the standard UO2-zirconium alloy system, can tolerate loss of active cooling in the reactor core for a considerably longer time period during design-basis and beyond design-basis events while maintaining or improving the fuel performance during normal operations and operational transients. This paper presents early work in developing thermal and mechanical models for two materials that may have promise: U-Si for fuel, and FeCrAl for cladding. These materials would not necessarily be used together in the same fuel system, but individually have promising characteristics. BISON, the finite element-based fuel performance code in development at Idaho National Laboratory, was used to compare results from normal operation conditions with Zr-4/UO2 behavior. In addition, sensitivity studies are presented for evaluating the relative importance of material parameters such as ductility and thermal conductivity in FeCrAl and U-Si in order to provide guidance on future experiments for these materials.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Development of LWR Fuels with Enhanced Accident Tolerance ATF Feasibility Analysis Report Deliverable for the Westinghouse Accident Tolerant Fuel Program

The Westinghouse Electric Company LLC (Westinghouse) accident tolerant fuel (ATF) program utilizes chromium (Cr) coated zirconium alloy cladding with uranium silicide (U 3 Si 2 ) high density/high thermal conductivity fuel for its lead test rod (LTR) program with irradiation beginning in 2019. The lead test assembly (LTA) program will use both SiC/SiC composites and Cr coated zirconium alloy claddings with the high density/high thermal conductivity U 3 Si 2 pellet which will begin in 2022. Over the past several years, Westinghouse has tested the Cr coated zirconium (Zr) and silicon carbide (SiC) claddings in autoclaves and in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) reactor and the U 3 Si 2 pellets have been tested in the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). High temperature tests at the state-of-the-art Westinghouse facilities in Churchill, PA have been carried out to determine the time and temperature limits for the SiC and Cr coated zirconium claddings. Fuel rod and assembly design in preparation for the LTR and LTA programs is underway as well as licensing efforts with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Finally, accident analyses coupled with economic evaluations for both operating savings as well as fuel savings have been initiated. Cr coated zirconium alloy claddings showed low corrosion rates in both autoclave and in-reactor tests and will be fabricated using commercial processes for the first LTRs for insertion in 2019. Current autoclave results for SiC composite claddings indicate that a corrosion rate of fewer than 2 micrometers per year which meets corrosion requirements may be achieved under normal operating conditions. Modular Accident Analysis Program 5 (MAAP5) calculations indicate that solid fission products can be contained within SiC cladding for up to two hours longer than current Zr based cladding in a station blackout scenario. This additional time is due to the much higher temperature capability of SiC (~2000°C). These two hours can be used to implement additional response options instituted through the FLEX program by reactor operators. While the Cr coated Zr alloy option offers more modest ATF gains (~200°C higher than bare Zr) in similar situations, the coatings do delay the runaway oxidation encountered by uncoated zirconium cladding. Both ATF cladding options also reduce hydrogen production which dramatically reduces primary system and containment pressure and the risk of fission product release beyond containment in the unlikely event of an accident. The lower pressure in the system allows more time to feed cooling water to the core, resulting in the avoidance of fuel melting. The coping time is extended indefinitely as long as the water flow continues. SiC exhibits the highest accident tolerance of any cladding and significant advances in understanding the design, manufacture and accident behavior of SiC cladding have been made. Department of Energy support is needed to continue the on-going experimental work addressing the interaction between U 3 Si 2 and SiC at temperatures >1200°C, the effect of SiC manufacturing methods and manufacturing variability on physical properties, and the ability to predict the mechanical properties of SiC composites based on the composite design. Additionally, experimental work on methods to rapidly fabricate SiC composite structures with high density and reduce the fabrication price of SiC fibers while maintaining a high level of performance is needed. Minimal (<1%) swelling of U 3 Si 2 and subsequent fission gas release has been demonstrated up to 20 MWd/kgU. Irradiation experiments with U 3 Si 2 fuel in ATR to determine these properties at 40 to 50 MWd/kgU are underway. These experiments will provide the data needed to license fuel rod design codes. Research is continuing on production methods for making U 3 Si 2 from UF 6 without going through the U metal step. Oxidation tests of fuel pellets and powder in steam and synthetic air indicate that U 3 Si 2 has a lower oxidation reaction initiation temperature than UO 2 . Options to reduce the U 3 Si 2 oxidation rate are being explored. A hybrid fuel design using pellets with the weight ratio of 30%/70% U 3 Si 2 /UN is currently undergoing testing in the ATR. This approach is being explored to further increase the positive economics of the U 3 Si 2 fuel. In addition to the work supported by the USDOE, research and testing activities are being carried on in a world-wide effort funded by many countries such as Sweden, United Kingdom, Belgium, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Japan and France. This work is being facilitated through the Westinghouse led Collaboration for Advanced Research on Accident Tolerant Fuel (CARAT) program. Annual meetings are organized by Westinghouse as a venue for presentation of this work and to provide for the cross-fertilization of ideas among the many outstanding researchers in the ATF area. Since SiC, coated cladding and high density fuel options are not currently used in the nuclear industry, support from the government and industry members is needed to further the significant effort of setting new standards. The same is true for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) which must review and approve the commercial use of these new fuels since all current regulations are oriented toward Zr/ UO 2 fuel. There are no showstoppers for accident tolerant fuel technologies when considering supply chain, fabrication, enrichment suppliers, production, and licensing. Due to the cost savings from higher density fuel and the accident tolerance of coated claddings, Exelon has identified potential commercial plants to host the LTRs and LTAs. Planning is underway to implement this schedule.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

A comparative study on the wear behaviors of cladding candidates for accident-tolerant fuel

Accident-tolerant fuels are expected to have considerably longer coping time to respond to the loss of active cooling under severe accidents and, at the same time, have comparable or improved fuel performance during normal operation. The wear resistance of accident tolerant fuels, therefore, needs to be examined to determine the applicability of these cladding candidates to the current operating PWRs because the most common failure of nuclear fuel claddings is still caused by grid-to-rod fretting during normal operations. In this study, reciprocating sliding wear tests on three kinds of cladding candidates for accident-tolerant fuels have been performed to investigate the tribological compatibilities of selfmated cladding candidates and to determine the direct applicability of conventional Zirconium-based alloys as supporting structural materials. The friction coefficients of the cladding candidates are strongly influenced by the test environments and coupled materials. The wear test results under water lubrication conditions indicate that the supporting structural materials for the cladding candidates of accident-tolerant fuels need to be replaced with the same cladding materials instead of using conventional Zirconium-based alloys.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Fabrication and Qualification of Small Scale Irradiation Experiments in Support of the Accident Tolerant Fuels Program

The Accident Tolerant Fuels (ATF) program aims to develop next generation Light Water Reactor (LWR) fuels with improved performance, reliability, and safety. The program has developed a roadmap to support the insertion of lead fuel rods (LFRs) or lead fuel assemblies (LFAs) of an accident tolerant fuel into a commercial LWR by the end of FY 2022. In order to achieve this goal, novel fuel compositions and cladding materials are being assembled as drop-in irradiation experiments to allow for prioritization of concepts to further the ATF mission. Development of fabrication methodology and qualification techniques for small-scale irradiation test samples is reported.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Fuel Safety Research Plan for Accident Tolerant Fuels

This document outlines a strategic plan for a safety research program for accident tolerant fuels. Accident tolerant fuels (ATFs) are nuclear fuel materials and designs for existing and future light water reactors. This effort is under the Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy’s Nuclear Technology Research and Development Advanced Fuels Campaign. The development of ATF is an industry lead initiative with fuel designs being championed by Westinghouse, Framatome, and General Electric. Industry goals for ATF deployment include implementing the first batch reloads of coated cladding and doped fuel designs into commercial reactors by 2023 and having the first batch reloads of more advanced designs into commercial reactors by 2026. Follow on goals include implementing the first full cores of coated cladding and doped fuel designs into commercial reactors by 2026 and implementing full cores of more advanced designs by 2030. The objectives of the national laboratory research programs within the Advanced Fuels Campaign related to ATF are: 1. Develop and maintain of unique nuclear testing infrastructure, which includes test reactors, hot cell PIE equipment, and unique out of pile separate effects testing facilities. 2. Respond directly to industry requests for support by partnering with the ATF vendors and executing experiments and/or analysis on their behalf. 3. Conduct independent scientific investigations into the performance of the different ATF concepts that are relevant to Industry designs. To achieve these objectives, the safety research program will execute transient irradiation experiments at the TREAT facility at Idaho National Laboratory with the aim of identifying the relevant transient fuel behaviors for each fuel design in order to establish appropriate fuel safety criteria and thresholds. Two test series are described in this plan, (1) an Integral Test Series, and (2) a Focused Effects Test Series. In fulfillment of the first objective for the safety research program, Integral Effects Tests will be developed and demonstrated using standard UO2 Zircaloy fuel designs in both the fresh and previously irradiated case. The Integral Test Series will consist of three campaigns to evaluate transient fuel performance in Reactivity Initiated Accidents, Loss of Coolant Accidents, and in generalized Power Cooling Mismatch scenarios. Development of these test programs also enables the safety research program to fulfill its second objective by making these three test programs available to each industry team. Initially, priority will be given in the integral test series to the coated cladding and doped fuel concepts as their deployment schedule is the most aggressive. To fulfill the third objective of the safety research program, a Focused Effects Test Series is also being developed which will examine specific transient fuel behaviors that are of general interest to all the ATF designs under development. These tests look at transient fuel behavior related to pellet cladding mechanical interaction, coated cladding swelling, rupture, and time at temperature behavior, non oxide fuel melting and mechanical interaction with Silicon Carbide cladding, UO2 and doped UO2 fuel fragmentation and transient fission gas release, and finally fuel coolant interaction. This document provides a general overview of the objectives of the safety research program as well as providing background into how programs like this have been used in the past to develop the criteria necessary for the safe operation of the present fuel designs. An overview of the materials and methods used for safety testing is presented. Finally the Integral and Focused Effects tests series are introduced and described. This document will be maintained as a “living” document with annual updates to reflect evolving requirements and needs.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Irradiation Testing Plan for Long Term Accident Tolerant Fuels

Many potential Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF) technologies with the potential for making substantive improvements to the performance of Light Water Reactors (LWRs) in accident scenarios will require development and qualification timelines longer than 4 years. These technologies are named “Long Term” ATF. The attached report summarizes the irradiation testing capabilities available for use in the development and qualification of these technologies and presents a nominal test sequence.

11 - NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Development of LWR Fuels with Enhanced Accident Tolerance ATF Feasibility Analysis and Final Technical Report Deliverable for the Westinghouse Accident Tolerant Fuel Program (Rev. 2)

The beyond design basis accident at Fukushima Daiichi in March 2011 and the Three Mile Island accident in 1979 imply that severe nuclear accidents may occur at somewhat higher frequencies than previously predicted, and that the financial liabilities of such accidents can cripple a utility. While current fuel is more than adequate for design basis accidents, the potential for harm from beyond design basis accidents (BDBA) has been a driver for Westinghouse development efforts since 2003. After Fukushima, other fuel vendors also began pursuing new fuel materials that can provide significant increases in the time, enabling reactor operators to respond to unforeseen events before significant releases of fuel materials and fission products occur. In order to be commercially successful, accident tolerant fuel (ATF) products must also provide significant fuel cost savings, operating cost improvements as well as safety improvements. This report documents the engineering, design and testing that occurred from October 1, 2016, through September 30, 2018, by the Westinghouse team. In addition, it includes: 1. The results of modeling and simulation work completed to date that supports technical feasibility of the ATF concept in meeting the goals of the enhanced ATF program including a core level analysis predicting how an existing LWR will perform when loaded with ATF. 2. Regulatory Analysis showing path to LTA/LTR acceptance. 3. Business Analysis showing commercial viability of the ATF concept.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Preliminary modeling of accident tolerant fuel concepts under accident conditions

In this paper, we present simulations of two proposed accident tolerant fuel systems for light-water reactors: U{sub 3}Si{sub 2} fuel with Zircaloy-4 cladding, and UO{sub 2} fuel with FeCrAl cladding. The simulations investigate the fuel performance response of the proposed ATF systems under Loss of Coolant (LOCA) and Station Blackout (SBO) conditions using the BISON code. It was observed that U{sub 3}Si{sub 2}/Zircaloy4 and UO{sub 2}/FeCrAl have superior performance during a 90 s LOCA than traditional UO{sub 2}/Zircaloy4 fuel rods. This is based upon reduced fuel centerline temperatures and lower cladding strains experienced during the LOCA. For the postulated SBO analyzed in this work, it was found that the centerline temperature and cladding strains remained well below any values of concern. This is attributed to the shortness of the rod studied and how the coolant channel model treats the inlet as the bottom of the rod. An analysis of a full-length fuel rod is required to obtain improved qualitative comparisons between the 3 systems under SBO conditions. Sensitivity analyses have been performed using Sandia National Laboratories' DAKOTA software to determine which input parameters (e.g., fuel specific heat) have the greatest influence on the output metrics of interest (e.g., fuel centerline temperature). Early results indicate that each concept has significant advantages as well as areas of concern. Further work is required prior to formulating the proposition report for the Advanced Fuels Campaign.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Preliminary Modeling of Accident Tolerant Fuel Concepts under Accident Conditions

The catastrophic events that occurred at the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear power plant in 2011 have led to widespread interest in research of alternative fuels and claddings that are proposed to be accident tolerant. Thus, the United States Department of Energy through its NEAMS (Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation) program has funded an Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF) High Impact Problem (HIP). The ATF HIP is funded for a three-year period. The purpose of the HIP is to perform research into two potential accident tolerant concepts and provide an in-depth report to the Advanced Fuels Campaign (AFC) describing the behavior of the concepts, both of which are being considered for inclusion in a lead test assembly scheduled for placement into a commercial reactor in 2022. The initial focus of the HIP is on uranium silicide fuel and iron-chromium-aluminum (FeCrAl) alloy cladding. Utilizing the expertise of three national laboratory participants (INL, LANL, and ANL) a comprehensive mulitscale approach to modeling is being used including atomistic modeling, molecular dynamics, rate theory, phase-field, and fuel performance simulations. In this paper, we present simulations of two proposed accident tolerant fuel systems: U3Si2 fuel with Zircaloy-4 cladding, and UO2 fuel with FeCrAl cladding. The simulations investigate the fuel performance response of the proposed ATF systems under Loss of Coolant and Station Blackout conditions using the BISON code. Sensitivity analyses are completed using Sandia National Laboratories’ DAKOTA software to determine which input parameters (e.g., fuel specific heat) have the greatest influence on the output metrics of interest (e.g., fuel centerline temperature). Early results indicate that each concept has significant advantages as well as areas of concern. Further work is required prior to formulating the proposition report for the Advanced Fuels Campaign.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Fuel Cycle Research and Development Accident Tolerant Fuels Series 1 (ATF-1) Irradiation Testing FY 2016 Status Report

This report contains a summary of irradiation testing of Fuel Cycle Research and Development (FCRD) Accident Tolerant Fuels Series 1 (ATF 1) experiments performed at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in FY 2016. ATF 1 irradiation testing work performed in FY 2016 included design, analysis, and fabrication of ATF-1B drop in capsule ATF 1 series experiments and irradiation testing of ATF-1 capsules in the ATR.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Testing Accident Tolerant Fuels in Reactivity Initiated Accident Conditions

The Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT) at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) has been successfully restarted. A principal goal of restarting the reactor was to perform transient testing of Accident Tolerant Fuels (ATF), supporting their safe adoption by the commercial Light Water Reactor (LWR) fleet. This paper will describe the efforts underway at INL to conduct testing of ATF under Reactivity Initiated Accident (RIA) conditions in an inert helium atmosphere. Tests in an inert helium atmosphere capsule provide valuable information about initial deposition and distribution of energy in the nuclear fuel. Tests in an inert helium atmosphere are especially suited for ATF concepts where the thermophysical properties of the new fuel material differ from UO2 such as the U3Si2 fuel concept and other non-oxide materials. These tests are also useful for exploring the thermal mechanical interaction of pellets with cladding where the cladding mechanical properties do not change much with temperature such as Silicon Carbide Cladding. Tests with nominal dimensions will be used to determine how fresh fuel failure and core coolability limits of ATF pellet and cladding materials compare with that of standard LWR fuel made up of UO2 pellets and Zircaloy cladding. Tests with a reduced pellet cladding gap will be used as a preliminary indicator of any pellet cladding mechanical interaction (PCMI) vulnerabilities of the new fuel concepts. The materials, methods, and schedule for the ATF RIA tests will be discussed in the paper.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Hydrothermal Corrosion of SiC Materials for Accident Tolerant Fuel Cladding with and Without Mitigation Coatings

As a candidate material for accident-tolerant fuel cladding for light water reactors (LWR), SiCf–SiC composite materials possess many attractive properties. However, prior work has shown that SiC is susceptible to aqueous dissolution in LWR coolant environments. To address this issue, candidate coatings have been developed to inhibit dissolution. For this study, CVD SiC samples were prepared with Cr, CrN, TiN, ZrN, NiCr, and Ni coatings. Uncoated SiC and SiCf–SiC samples were also prepared. The samples were exposed for 400 h in 288 °C water with 2 wppm DO in a constantly-refreshing autoclave to simulate BWR–NWC. Cr and Ni coated samples lost less mass than the uncoated SiC sample, indicating an improvement in performance. The CrN coating resisted oxidation, but some of the coating was lost due to poor adhesion. The TiN coated sample gained significant mass due to oxidation of the coating. ZrN and NiCr coatings showed significant corrosion attack. SiCf–SiC ceramic matrix composite materials dissolved much faster than the CVD SiC sample, demonstrating the need for mitigation coatings if CMCs are to be used in LWRs. This work demonstrates the promise of Cr, Ni and CrN coatings for corrosion mitigation in LWRs, and shows that NiCr and ZrN are not promising coating materials.

Raiman, Stephen S.↗

Characterization of the Hydrothermal Corrosion Behavior of Ceramics for Accident Tolerant Fuel Cladding

Accident-tolerant fuel (ATF) is an increasingly important research topic for the nuclear industry, and ceramics such as SiC are strong contenders for deployment as ATF cladding. The hydrothermal corrosion characteristics of SiC and Al2O3 were investigated via constantly-refreshing autoclave corrosion and post exposure characterization. Four different types of chemical vapor deposited (CVD) SiC specimens were examined (two with high electrical resistance, one with low electrical resistance, and a single crystal 4H structural variant). Al2O3 specimens were prepared in single crystal and polycrystalline states. PWR primary water, BWR–HWC, and BWR–NWC environments were maintained throughout the experiments. Characterization conducted using SEM and EDS was used to determine factors affecting corrosion rates and susceptibility to grain boundary attack in each water chemistry condition. Raman spectroscopy was also used to determine chemical variation of the surface with corrosion. Grain boundary attack was found to be significant for both alumina and SiC polycrystalline variants.

Doyle, Peter↗