Spent Nuclear Fuel Testing

Problem Statement: 

High burn-up (HBU) (>45 GWd/MTU) nuclear fuel is associated with increased corrosion and hydride precipitation and high levels of irradiation-induced damage to cladding and fuel pellets. To support eventual disposal of spent nuclear fuel (SNF), there is a need to test and evaluate the mechanical behavior of SNF under normal transportation condition.  

Technical Approach:

The tester includes a U-shaped loading frame developed by ORNL and a dual linear-motor Bose® ElectroForce® TestBench test instrument. The SNF rod specimen is installed and integrated into the U-frame through specially designed specimen grips; a setup of three displacement transducers measures rod deformation or curvature. This invention can test SNF rods and other materials under reversible bending in both static and dynamic loading conditions. 

Benefit:

For the first time, the nuclear industry and nuclear regulatory bodies can test and evaluate the mechanical properties of SNF rods in a simulated transportation environment.

Sponsor:

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Department of Energy-Office of Nuclear Energy, Fuel Cycle Technologies

Partner:

Materials Science and Technology Division

Principal Investigator: 

Bruce B. Bevard