The Infiltrated Kernel Nuclear Fuel (IKNF) process deposits nuclear fuel into the naturally occurring porosity in graphite. IKNF consists of infiltrating uranyl nitrate dissolved in an organic solvent into the graphite and then heat-treating the sample at low (<300°C) temperatures to remove the solvent and convert the uranyl nitrate to UO2. Complete conversion to UC2 can then be accomplished by heating to temperatures higher than 3000°C. IKNF is extremely flexible: it is appropriate for very high temperature applications and heating the infiltrated product to intermediate temperatures (higher than 900°C) produces nuclear fuel with a range of chemistries in the U-C-O system (similar to the current US TRISO fuel). It is probable that the process can also be used to produce fuel containing transuranics. It is believed that IKNF will be less expensive, more robust and more suitable for on-line quality monitoring than current fuel fabrication method. Graphite infiltration involves a few, easily measurable and controllable variables. It is reproducible and predictable.
Skip Nav Destination
Fourth International Topical Meeting on High Temperature Reactor Technology
September 28–October 1, 2008
Washington, DC, USA
Conference Sponsors:
- ASME
ISBN:
978-0-7918-4854-8
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
An Infiltration Manufacturing Process for Nuclear Fuels Available to Purchase
Lynne Ecker,
Lynne Ecker
Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY
Search for other works by this author on:
Jacopo Saccheri,
Jacopo Saccheri
Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY
Search for other works by this author on:
Biays Bowerman,
Biays Bowerman
Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY
Search for other works by this author on:
James Ablett,
James Ablett
Synchrotron SOLEIL, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
Search for other works by this author on:
Laurence Milian,
Laurence Milian
Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY
Search for other works by this author on:
Jay Adams,
Jay Adams
Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY
Search for other works by this author on:
Hans Ludwig,
Hans Ludwig
Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY
Search for other works by this author on:
Michael Todosow
Michael Todosow
Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY
Search for other works by this author on:
Lynne Ecker
Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY
Jacopo Saccheri
Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY
Biays Bowerman
Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY
James Ablett
Synchrotron SOLEIL, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
Laurence Milian
Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY
Jay Adams
Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY
Hans Ludwig
Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY
Michael Todosow
Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY
Paper No:
HTR2008-58204, pp. 365-371; 7 pages
Published Online:
July 1, 2009
Citation
Ecker, L, Saccheri, J, Bowerman, B, Ablett, J, Milian, L, Adams, J, Ludwig, H, & Todosow, M. "An Infiltration Manufacturing Process for Nuclear Fuels." Proceedings of the Fourth International Topical Meeting on High Temperature Reactor Technology. Fourth International Topical Meeting on High Temperature Reactor Technology, Volume 1. Washington, DC, USA. September 28–October 1, 2008. pp. 365-371. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/HTR2008-58204
Download citation file:
16
Views
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Articles
HTR-TN Achievements and Prospects for Future Developments
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (June,2011)
The Effect of Alkali Metal and Alkaline Earth Metal Impurities on the Iodine-Induced Corrosion of CANDU Fuel Sheathing
ASME J of Nuclear Rad Sci (October,2017)
PBMR-A Future Failsafe Gas Turbine Nuclear Power Plant?
Mechanical Engineering (August,2011)
Related Chapters
The Special Characteristics of Closed-Cycle Gas Turbines
Closed-Cycle Gas Turbines: Operating Experience and Future Potential
Scope of Section I, Organization, and Service Limits
Power Boilers: A Guide to the Section I of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Second Edition
Threshold Functions
Closed-Cycle Gas Turbines: Operating Experience and Future Potential