SiC and FeCrAl as Potential Cladding Materials for APR-1400 Neutronic Analysis

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the potential improvement of accident-tolerant fuels in pressurized water reactors for replacing existing reference zircaloy (Zr) fuel-cladding systems. Three main strategies for improving accident-tolerant fuels are investigated: enhancement of the present state-of-the-art zirconium fuel-cladding system to improve oxidation resistance, replacement of the current referenced fuel-cladding system material with an alternative high-performance oxidation-resistant cladding, and replacement of the current fuel with alternative fuel forms. This study focuses on a preliminary analysis of the neutronic behavior and properties of silicon carbide (SiC)-fuel and FeCrAl cladding systems, which provide a better safety margin as accident-tolerant fuel systems for pressurized water reactors. The typical physical behavior of both cladding systems is investigated to determine their general neutronic performance. The multiplication factor, thermal neutron flux spectrum, 239Pu inventory, pin power distribution, and radial power are analyzed and compared with those of a reference Zr fuel-cladding system. Furthermore, the effects of a burnable poison rod (Gd2O3) in different fuel assemblies are investigated. SiC cladding assemblies present a softer neutron spectrum and a lower linear power distribution compared with the conventional Zr-fuel-cladding system. Additionally, the SiC fuel-cladding system exhibits behaviors that are consistent with the neutronic behavior of conventional Zr fuel-cladding systems, thereby affording greater economic and safety improvements.

Formulation of Hierarchical Nanowire-Structured CoNiO2 and MoS2/CoNiO2 Hybrid Composite Electrodes for Supercapacitor Applications

“…3,4 Among the series of M−M1 (M, M1 = Co, Ni, Cu, Mo, Fe, and Ni) binary alloys, Co−Ni-based ones have been widely established with attractive electrochemical properties due to the synergistic interactions of Co and Ni, improving the electrical conductivity and boosting the redox reactions in SCs. 5,6 CoNiO 2 attracts much attention due to its strong redox activity because of the coexistence of the Ni and Co species, natural abundance, friendly environment, high theoretical capacitance, and sample preparation. 7,8 Several strategies/approaches were utilized to design/prepare some electrocatalysts with unique morphology structures and active sites, including various forms of nanoparticles such as cubes, sheets, wires, tubes, and flakes, to generate the active sites, resulting in improving the electrochemical performances.…”

“…Electrochemical capacitors (ECs), often referred to as ultra- or supercapacitors, have gained prominence in energy storage/conversion devices in recent times owing to their many advantages, including safety, fast charge/discharge characteristics, higher power density, longer lifecycle, and minimal fabrication/maintenance charge. , In recent years, numerous research groups have proved that transition metal oxides (TMOs) are considered as likely alternative electrode materials for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and ECs/batteries applications. , Among the series of M–M1 (M, M1 = Co, Ni, Cu, Mo, Fe, and Ni) binary alloys, Co–Ni-based ones have been widely established with attractive electrochemical properties due to the synergistic interactions of Co and Ni, improving the electrical conductivity and boosting the redox reactions in SCs. , CoNiO 2 attracts much attention due to its strong redox activity because of the coexistence of the Ni and Co species, natural abundance, friendly environment, high theoretical capacitance, and sample preparation. , Several strategies/approaches were utilized to design/prepare some electrocatalysts with unique morphology structures and active sites, including various forms of nanoparticles such as cubes, sheets, wires, tubes, and flakes, to generate the active sites, resulting in improving the electrochemical performances. , For the rock salt (NaCl)-type NiCoO 2 crystal structure, both Ni 2+ and Co 2+ coexist in any molar ratio in the crystal structure. These ions are sited in the octahedral voids within the face-centered cubic (FCC) arrangement of oxide ions (O 2– ) .…”

The Effect of Cooling Rate on Crystallographic Features of Phase Transformations in Zr-2.5Nb

“…Since the 1950s, Zr-based alloys have been extensively employed in structures operating in the aggressive environments of nuclear reactor cores and critical chemical industry products, owing to their unique combination of mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and low neutron absorption rates [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. Currently, Zr alloy products serve as benchmarks for the functional properties of new materials in the nuclear industry [ 8 , 9 ]. Their potential bolsters interest for further medical applications in Zr-based alloys [ 10 , 11 , 12 ].…”

Carburization Kinetics of Zircalloy-4 and Its Implication for Small Modular Reactor Performance

“…The search for a Zr replacement due to water/stream interactions has led the LWR industry to explore alternative cladding materials, with Cr-coated Zr-based alloys and advanced stainless steel alloys (i.e., FeCrAl) emerging as realistic near-term replacements [8]. Other options such as silicon carbide claddings are seen as longerterm alternatives that could provide significant benefits, with similar or better neutronic efficiency to Zr, if manufacturing obstacles are addressed [9].…”