Subprogramme 5: Synthesis, Irradiation, and Qualification of

Advanced Fuels

Joe SomersJRC - Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU)

SP5 coordinator

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SP5 Synthesis, Irradiation and Qualification of Advanced Fuels (AF)

Nuclear Fuel Safety and Waste Minimisation in Future Reactor Systems (ESNII) COOLANTS

Sodium ASTRID

Lead/Bismuth MYRRHA

Lead ALFRED

Helium ALLEGRO

DRIVER FUELS (U,Pu TRL Oxide* 8-9 (PX,SPX,..)*

Carbides /Nitrides 3-4

Transmutation Fuels 3

* CAVEAT: Much Knowledge from the past, but can it be used readily for different geometries and different conditions ?

Waste Minimisation

Transmutation of long lived elements in irradiated fuel:

Fuel containing minor actinides (Americium Neptunium, Curium) must be developed

Radiotoxicity Reduction

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SP5 Synthesis, Irradiation and Qualification of Advanced Fuels (AF)

A Lengthy Costly Task

NEED A PARADIGM SHIFT

Fuel Safety (normal and off normal operation)•Margin to melt•High Burnup•Fission product chemistry•Fission gas release and or migration•Restructuring•Fuel cladding interactions (mechanical/chemical)•Fuel Coolant Interaction Chemistry

LWR

SFR

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SP5 Synthesis, Irradiation and Qualification of Advanced Fuels (AF)

Towards improved predictive performance codes and standards

Distance nm to mTime fs to years

Numerical Modelling and Simulation

Experimental Simulation and Qualification

STANDARDS

Better DataBetter CodesBetter Prediction

NUCLEAR Fuel

Simulation Platform

Better decisionsShorter lead timesReduced Cost

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Synthesis, Irradiation and Qualification of Advanced fuels

Fuel synthesis and characterisationSynthesis methods, Fuel properties, Pin Welding

Irradiation testingFuel concepts for future reactorsInstrumented capsulesMTRs in Europe or other reactors beyond

Post-irradiation examinationNon-destructive and destructive examination

Modelling and Integration with SP6Fuel performance codes with fundamental approaches

SP5 main themes

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Past EURATOM Programmes covered SP5

EUROTRANSIrradiation Tests on MA Fuel in Phénix and HFR Petten

CONFIRM Synthesis and irradiation of Nitride Fuel in HFR Petten FAIRFUELSSynthesis and irradiation of MA Fuel in HFR and PIE of EUROTRANS Fuels

PELGRIMMSynthesis and irradiation of MA Fuel in HFR and PIE

ASGARDConversion from Solution of advanced fuels

MYRTE (being submitted)Properties of uranium americium dioxide targets

Estimated value ~35M€

Path Forward:

•Consolidation of effort

•EERA JPNM

SP5 Synthesis, Irradiation and Qualification of Advanced Fuels (AF)

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SP5 Synthesis, Irradiation and Qualification of Advanced Fuels (AF)

2008 2020

Decisions DEMO operating (1st Load MOX) PrototypeDEMO with

full MA complimentFab. and Prop. of MA MC, MN & MOX

In DEMO testing MC, MN, MOX MA Fuels

Separate Effect & multiscale modelling & simulation with integration in engineering codes

20202008

2032

2032

Int. Irrad and PIE of MA, MC, MN &MOX fuels

Fuel Research (Taken from SNETP SRA 2009)

EERA JPNM SP5/6

EERA JPNM SP6

EERA JPNM SP5

Application