Dissolution, Reactor, and Environmental Behavior of ZrO2-MgO Inert Fuel Matrix: Quarterly Report, October 2004 to December 2004

Authors

Earl Wolfram, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Thomas Hartmann, Harry Reid Center for Environmental StudiesFollow
Kenneth Czerwinski, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

12-2004

First page number:

1

Last page number:

5

Abstract

This project will examine inert matrix fuels containing ZrO₂ and MgO as the inert matrix, with the relative amount of MgO varied from 30% to 70% in ZrO₂. Reactor physics calculations will be used to examine suitable quantities of burnable poisons from the candidate elements Gd, Er, or Hf with reactor grade Pu providing the fissile component, with up to 10% of ²³⁹Pu. Ceramics will be synthesized and characterized based on the reactor physics results. The solubility the fuel ceramics, in reactor conditions, reprocessing conditions, and repository conditions, will be investigated in a manner to provide thermodynamic data necessary for modeling.

The fuel matrix will be designed based on neutronic properties, repository behavior, and reprocessing characteristics. The matrix should be as neutron transparent as possible. Burnable poisons will be used to maintain constant reactivity. The matrix should also act as a suitable host form for fission products and actinides in a repository environment. Finally, the matrix should be compatible with reprocessing schemes under development in the advanced fuel cycle.

In this quarter work was performed on synthesis of ceramics and reactor physics calculation. The work was build upon the results from the previous quarter. The fuel synthesis focused on the conditions and ratios of inert matrix material necessary for synthesis of a single phase. The reactor physics calculations examined the Pu loading necessary to achieve industry standard fuel cycle lengths and the matrix composition effect on Pu loading.

Keywords

Magnesium oxide; Mixed oxide fuels (Nuclear engineering); Nuclear chemistry; Nuclear fuels; Plutonium; Solid oxide fuel cells; Zirconium oxide

Controlled Subject

Mixed oxide fuels (Nuclear engineering); Nuclear fuels; Solid oxide fuel cells--Design and construction

Disciplines

Nuclear | Oil, Gas, and Energy | Physical Chemistry

File Format

pdf

File Size

253 KB

Language

English

Repository Citation

Wolfram, E., Hartmann, T., Czerwinski, K. (2004). Dissolution, Reactor, and Environmental Behavior of ZrO2-MgO Inert Fuel Matrix: Quarterly Report, October 2004 to December 2004. 1-5.
Available at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/hrc_trp_fuels/61