|
1
|
Feng L, Xu Y, Qiu J, Liu X, Wen C, Qian Z, Liu W, Yan W, Li Y, Wang Z, Zheng S, Guo S, Shi T, Lu C, Gou J, Li L, Shan J, Stubbins JF, Gu L, Yun D. A novel approach on designing ultrahigh burnup metallic TWR fuels: Upsetting the current technological limits. MRS BULLETIN 2022; 47:1092-1102. [PMID: 36349118 PMCID: PMC9632587 DOI: 10.1557/s43577-022-00420-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT The grand challenge of "net-zero carbon" emission calls for technological breakthroughs in energy production. The traveling wave reactor (TWR) is designed to provide economical and safe nuclear power and solve imminent problems, including limited uranium resources and radiotoxicity burdens from back-end fuel reprocessing/disposal. However, qualification of fuels and materials for TWR remains challenging and it sets an "end of the road" mark on the route of R&D of this technology. In this article, a novel approach is proposed to maneuver reactor operations and utilize high-temperature transients to mitigate the challenges raised by envisioned TWR service environment. Annular U-50Zr fuel and oxidation dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels are proposed to be used instead of the current U-10Zr and HT-9 ferritic/martensitic steels. In addition, irradiation-accelerated transport of Mn and Cr to the cladding surface to form a protective oxide layer as a self-repairing mechanism was discovered and is believed capable of mitigating long-term corrosion. This work represents an attempt to disruptively overcome current technological limits in the TWR fuels. IMPACT STATEMENT After the Fukushima accident in 2011, the entire nuclear industry calls for a major technological breakthrough that addresses the following three fundamental issues: (1) Reducing spent nuclear fuel reprocessing demands, (2) reducing the probability of a severe accident, and (3) reducing the energy production cost per kilowatt-hour. An inherently safe and ultralong life fast neutron reactor fuel form can be such one stone that kills the three birds. In light of the recent development findings on U-50Zr fuels, we hereby propose a disruptive, conceptual metallic fuel design that can serve the following purposes at the same time: (1) Reaching ultrahigh burnup of above 40% FIMA, (2) possessing strong inherent safety features, and (3) extending current limits on fast neutron irradiation dose to be far beyond 200 dpa. We believe that this technology will be able to bring about revolutionary changes to the nuclear industry by significantly lowering the operational costs as well as improving the reactor system safety to a large extent. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1557/s43577-022-00420-4.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Linna Feng
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Nuclear Power Institute of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuwen Xu
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Jie Qiu
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xiang Liu
- Laboratory for Advanced Nuclear Energy Theory and Applications, Zhejiang Institute of Modern Physics, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chunyang Wen
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Zhengyu Qian
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Wenbo Liu
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Wei Yan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nuclear Materials and Safety Assessment, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, China
- Shi-Changxu Innovation Center for Advanced Materials, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, China
| | - Yanfen Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nuclear Materials and Safety Assessment, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, China
- Shi-Changxu Innovation Center for Advanced Materials, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhaohao Wang
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Shilun Zheng
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Shaoqiang Guo
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Tan Shi
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Chenyang Lu
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Junli Gou
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Liangxing Li
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Jianqiang Shan
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - James F. Stubbins
- Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, USA
| | - Long Gu
- Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Di Yun
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| |
Collapse
|