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Characterization of Low-Gas-Release LHR Fuels by Transmission Electron Microscopy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2011

L. E. Thomas  and
R. J. Guenther
L. E. Thomas
Affiliation:
Pacific Northwest Laboratory*, Richland, WA 99352, USA
R. J. Guenther
Affiliation:
Pacific Northwest Laboratory*, Richland, WA 99352, USA
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Abstract

Analytical transmission electron microscopy (AEM) was performed on light-water reactor (LWR) spent fuel samples from different radial locations in several low-gas release fuels. The examinations revealed high densities of sub-micrometer gas and solid aggregates. Precipitate coarsening and a change in the nature of the fission gas precipitates was observed near the centers of the fuel pellets. The fission-product phases were: 1) ε-ruthenium (Mo-Ru-Tc-Rh-Pd solid-solution alloy); 2) unidentified gases in intra- and intergranular bubbles from fuel edge to mid-radius locations; 3) dense, highly pressurized xenon/krypton “particles” associated with intragranular °-phase near the fuel centers. All other fission products apparently remained in solution. The nature and distribution of these phases are likely to affect fuel behavior in waste repositories and may be important for understanding fission gas behavior.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 127: Symposium BERLIN – Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XII , 1988 , 293
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1989

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References

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