Nuclear Engineering and Technology

Korean Nuclear Society (한국원자력학회)
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HIGH BURNUP CHANGES IN UO2 FUELS IRRADIATED UP TO 83 GWD/T IN M5(R) CLADDINGS

  • Noirot, J. (CEA, DEN, DEC Cadarache) ;
  • Aubrun, I. (CEA, DEN, DEC Cadarache) ;
  • Desgranges, L. (CEA, DEN, DEC Cadarache) ;
  • Hanifi, K. (CEA, DEN, DEC Cadarache) ;
  • Lamontagne, J. (CEA, DEN, DEC Cadarache) ;
  • Pasquet, B. (CEA, DEN, DEC Cadarache) ;
  • Valot, C. (CEA, DEN, DEC Cadarache) ;
  • Blanpain, P. (AREVA-NP) ;
  • Cognon, H. (EDF/SEPTEN)
  • Published : 2009.03.30
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Abstract

Since the 90's, EDF and AREVA-NP have irradiated, up to very high burnups, lead assemblies housing $M5^{(R)}$ cladded fuels. Post-irradiation examination of high burnup $UO_2$ pellets show an increase in the fission-gas release rate, an increase in fuel swelling, and formation of fission-gas bubbles throughout the pellets. Xenon abundances were quantified, and phenomena leading to this bubble formation were identified. All examinations provided valuable data on the complex state of the fuel during irradiation. They show the good behavior of these fuels, exhibiting various microstructures at very high burnups, none of which is likely to lead to problems during irradiation.

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References

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