82
A
Multi-Layered Ceramic Composite for Impermeable Fuel Cladding for
Commercial Water Reactors--Gamma
Engineering Corporation, 15815 Crabbs Branch Way, Rockville, MD
20855-2635; 301-840-8415
Mr.
Herbert Feinroth, Principal Investigator, feinroth@bellatlantic.com
Mr.
Herbert Feinroth, Business Official, feinroth@bellatlantic.com
DOE
Grant No. DE-FG02-01ER83194
Amount:
$99,950
Commercial
water-cooled nuclear reactors have expensive safety systems to protect against
the consequences of loss-of-coolant accidents.
During such accidents, the metal clad nuclear fuel
reacts violently and exothermically with water.
Previous efforts to replace the metal cladding with inert ceramic
materials have been unsuccessful because ceramic composites cannot be made
impermeable to fission gases. Although monolithic ceramics might be a candidate
because they are impermeable, they are too brittle for nuclear service.
This project will develop a multi-layered ceramic structure that contains
the best features of both composite materials (i.e., toughness and resistance to
fracture) and monolithic materials (impermeable to fission gases).
In Phase 1, several short length
tubular sections of multi-layered, oxide based, ceramic structures will be
designed, fabricated, and tested to demonstrate impermeability and fracture
toughness.
Commerical Application and Other Benefits
as described by awardee: Each commercial nuclear reactor uses over 50,000
feet of fuel cladding per year. The
new materials should replace the metal cladding, either for some of the existing
100 reactors, or for advanced reactors to be ordered in the future.