Description
Yukinori Yamamoto1, Kevin G Field1, Bruce A Pint1, Kurt A Terrani1, Raul Rebak2, Russ M Fawcett3; 1Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 2GE Global Research, 3Global Nuclear Fuel
A nuclear grade wrought FeCrAl-base alloy has been developed which targets a new accident-tolerant fuel (ATF) cladding substituting for current Zr-based alloys in light water reactors (LWR). Protective alumina-scale formation in steam-containing environments at elevated temperatures is attractive for the ATF design, especially in the event of a loss-of-coolant-accident. Major efforts and challenges included the optimization of major and minor alloying elements suitable for various service circumstances such as strength, toughness, oxidation performance, and irradiation resistance, together with the processability improvement for a seamless, thin-wall tube production. An ATF assembled with the developed wrought FeCrAl cladding (IronClad, GNF) has been installed in an operating LWR power plant and the “field” test is currently in progress. A detailed story of the alloy design, development, and deployment will be presented. Research funded by U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy, Advanced Fuel Campaign of the Fuel Cycle R&D program.