function of packing fraction; and questions regarding the structural integrity of a long, thin plank, it is anticipated that handling of the plank would require specialized fixtures. The development of the plank fuel form and the transition from laboratory scale to industrial scale can be expected to required the following major steps. • • • • •
Install a small-scale vibro-molding station (~1/10 scale). Fabricate planks and determine optimal packing fraction to toughness ratio. (NOTE: forming the plank is one part of the project; ensuring that it does not crack under its own weight during handling will be the key issue.) Characterize planks for broken particles and erosion properties. Determine best forming method and “recipe” for strong planks. Transition to large-scale equipment; will most likely need a conveyer system between molding, baking, and final heat treatment.
In addition, fuel form erosion studies are needed to ensure adequate performance in the SmAHTR fuel configuration. Matrix production and overcoating is already well understood and is being done at large scale. A.3 REFERENCES A.1. U.S. Department of Energy, Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems, “Advanced Gas Reactor Fuel Program’s TRISO Particle Fuel Sets a New World Record for Irradiation Performance,” November 2009, available at http://www.ne.doe.gov/geniv/neGenIV9.html A.2. R. D. Hunt, J. D. Hunn, J. F. Birdwell, T. B. Lindemer, and J. L. Collins, “The addition of silicon carbide to surrogate nuclear fuel kernels made by the internal gelation process,” J. Nucl. Mater. 401, 55–59 (2010). A.3. R. N. Morris and P. J. Pappano, “Estimation of Maximum Coated Particle Fuel Compact Packing Fraction,” J. Nucl. Mater. 361(1), 18–29 (March 2007). A.4. E. H. Voice and D. W. Sturge, Advances in HTR Matrix Technology, D. P. Report 867 (February 1974). A.5. “Fuel Researches in the HTTR project” Shohei UETA, Nuclear Science and Energy Directorate, Nuclear Applied Heat Technology Division, High Temperature Fuel & Material Group, Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), IAEA International Conference on Non-Electric Applications of Nuclear Power: Seawater Desalination, Hydrogen Production and other Industrial Applications, April 16–18, 2007, JAEA Oarai R&D Center, Oarai, Japan.
A-8