Enhanced Accident Tolerant Fuel at AREVA NP. Dr. Elmar Schweitzer, Dr. Jeremy Bischoff COP23, Bonn, 11/08/2017

Transcription

1 Enhanced Accident Tolerant Fuel at Dr. Elmar Schweitzer, Dr. Jeremy Bischoff COP23, Bonn, 11/08/2017

2 Why Develop eatf Solutions? Zr alloy eatf solution p.2

3 eatf Program u Evolutionary Concept (Near-term solution) Cr-coated Zr cladding + Cr 2 O 3 -doped UO 2 fuel u Revolutionary Concept (Long-term solution) SiC f /SiC cladding Multi-layer composite cladding with a metallic liner to ensure the leak-tightness Cr-coating provides significant reduction in HT steam oxidation Cr 2 O 3 -doped fuel shows high fission gas retention in transient conditions - Very low oxidation kinetics in HT steam - High strength at high temperature - High melting temperature p.3

4 Description of s Near-Term eatf Fuel Rod Concept Cr-Coated Zr Cladding Cr 2 O 3 -doped UO 2 Fuel Large Grain Microstructure Thin coating (5-20µm) Dense coating 100µm Enhanced viscoplasticity No modification of the underlying Zr substrate microstructure p.4

5 Normal Operation: Benefits of Cr-Coated Cladding with Cr 2 O 3 -doped UO 2 Fuel Cr-Coated Cladding FGR (Rod Pressure) Improved PCI Behavior Cr 2 O 3 -doped UO 2 Fuel Corrosion + H Pickup Increased Fuel Density Fuel Failures Increased Fuel Utilization Increased Margins p.5 Cladding Wear Provides: - RELIABILITY - FLEXIBLE OPERATION - ECONOMIC BENEFITS Chipping

6 Accidental Conditions: Benefits of Cr-Coated Cladding with Cr 2 O 3 -doped UO 2 Fuel Cr-Coated Cladding HT Steam Oxidation HT Creep & Ballooning FGR (Rod Pressure) Cr 2 O 3 -doped UO 2 Fuel Increased Post-Quench Ductility Heat and H 2 Production Improved Coolable Geometry Release of Radionuclides Fuel Fragmentation Increased: - COPING TIME - MARGINS - SAFETY p.6

7 Licensing and Performance Confirmation Performance Data Licensing Confirmation Reactor Sample Type PIE Timeline OSIRIS - CEA IMAGO - Commercial Reactor (Europe) Cr-coated tubes and flat specimens Cr-coated tubes, flat specimens, strained samples Coating performance, adherence Corrosion kinetics, coating performance, mechanical properties, microstructural eval Commercial Reactor (US) Lead Fuel Rods Cr 2 O 3 -doped pellets Pool side examination 2017 HALDEN - Norway Cr-coated rodlets with UO 2 pellets Coating performance, pellet-clad interaction ATR - INL Cr-coated rodlets with Cr 2 O 3 -doped pellets Microstructural evaluation, oxidation, hydrogen pickup, coating performance p.7

8 The road towards eatf IMAGO 2016 Irradiation of Material Test Samples + PIE LTR programs Irradiation of lead test rods + PIE LTA programs (planned) commercial eatf FA Base M5 Cladding Chromia-doped UO 2 pellets Cr-coating p.8

9 Excellent Behavior of Cr-coated Cladding after 1 Cycle of Irradiation IMAGO irradiation project (European PWR) u First irradiation of ATF materials in a commercial PWR Slight golden color = very thin oxide layer (<1µm) Uncoated segment Cr-coated segment Smooth transition coated - uncoated No delamination = very adherent coating Excellent behavior of Cr-coated cladding Important input data to support lead fuel rod justification p.9

10 Fabrication of Full-Length PVD Prototype Machine to Manufacture LFR Cladding Lab Scale Feasibility Full-Length Feasibility Industrial Scale Production Goals: p.10 u Demonstrate feasibility of full-length Cr deposition by Physical vapor deposition u Produce Cr-coated cladding for lead fuel rods Full-length Cr-coated cladding fabrication on track for lead fuel rod insertion in 2019 Fabrication of 6m long prototype completed Start-up and first tube production on-going

11 is fast-tracking the implementation of its near-term eatf solution: u Cr-coated Zr cladding + Cr 2 O 3 -doped UO 2 fuel Take Away Message First commercial irradiation feedback OK Full-length coating prototype completed LFR insertion 2019 p.11

12 Any reproduction, alteration, transmission to any third party or publication in whole or in part of this document and/or its content is prohibited unless AREVA has provided its prior and written consent. This document and any information it contains shall not be used for any other purpose than the one for which they were provided. Legal action may be taken against any infringer and/or any person breaching the aforementioned obligations. p.12