Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-fscjk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-28T22:19:10.441Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Phase Analysis of Metallic Plutonium-Containing Fuel Alloys Using Neutron Diffraction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 March 2019

M. H. Mueller ,
J. W. Richardson Jr. ,
R. V. Strain  and
G. L. Hofman
M. H. Mueller
Affiliation:
Fuels and Processes Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439
J. W. Richardson Jr.
Affiliation:
Intense Pulsed Neutron Source Divisions Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439
R. V. Strain
Affiliation:
Fuels and Processes Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439
G. L. Hofman
Affiliation:
Fuels and Processes Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439
Get access

Abstract

Pulsed neutron powder diffraction studies at IPNS have expanded our understanding of the phases present in Integral Fast Reactor (IFR) metal fuel alloys at temperatures in the range of reactor operating conditions. We report results from the binary alloy (U-10wt.%Zr) and ternary alloys (U-8%Pu-10%Zr) and (U-19%Pu-10%Zr). Determining the role and the location of Zr and Pu in these alloys is considered of fundamental importance for maximizing engineering efficiency.

Rietveld profile analysis was utilized to study the phase diagrams. Data were collected at temperatures ranging from 25-650°C. Although the expected U/Pu/Zr phases (α-U, β-U, γ-U, δ-U/Zr/Pu, ζ-U/Pu) were observed in appropriate temperature ranges, there were some unexpected results. Relative amounts of all phases at each temperature were calculated from Rietveld scale factors and inferences were made as to the location of zirconium and plutonium, i.e. amounts in each phase, from site occupancies and absorption characteristics of the phases present. Finally, we were able to identify ZrO and ZrO1-x inclusion phases in the U-Zr alloy present in very small (0.5-1.0%) amounts.

Type
IX. Nonambient Application of Diffraction
Information
Advances in X-Ray Analysis , Volume 34: Thirty-Ninth Annual Conference on Applications of X-ray Analysis, July 30 - August 3, 1990 , 1990 , pp. 447 - 457
Copyright
Copyright © International Centre for Diffraction Data 1990

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Till, C. E. and Chang, Y. I. Proc. Amer. Power Conf. 1989, 51, 688–691.Google Scholar
2. Hofman, G. L., Pahl, R. G., Lahm, C. E. and Porter, D. L. Met. Trans A. 1990, 21A, 517.Google Scholar
3. Jorgensen, J. D., Faber, J. Jr., Carpenter, J. M., Crawford, R. K., Haumann, J. R., Hitterman, R. L., Kleb, R., Ostrowski, G. E., Rotella, F. J. and Worlton, T. G. J. Appl. Cryst. 1989, 22, 321 Google Scholar
4. Rietveld, H. M. J. Appl. Cryst. 1969, 2, 65–71.Google Scholar
5. Von Dreele, R. B.; Jorgensen, J. D. and Windsor, C. G. J. Appl. Cryst. 1982, 15, 581–589.Google Scholar
6. Jorgensen, J. D. and Rotella, F. J. J. Appl. Cryst. 1982, 15, 27–34.Google Scholar
7. Rotella, F. J. Users Manual for Rietveld Analysis of Time-of-FIight Neutron Powder Diffraction Data at IPNS, Argonne National Laboratory, USA, 1986.Google Scholar
8. Vaninetti, J., Lawson, A. C. and Goldstone, J. A., private communication.Google Scholar
9. Hill, R. J. and Howard, C. J. J. Appl. Cryst. 1987, 20, 467–474.Google Scholar
10. Sheldon, R. I. and Peterson, D. E. Bull. Alloy Phase Diag. 1989, 10 (2), 165–171.Google Scholar
11. Peterson, D. E. and Foltyn, E. M. Bull. Alloy Phase Diag. 1989, 10 (2), 160–164.Google Scholar
12. Abriata, J. P., Garces, J. and Versaci, R. Bull. Alloy Phase Diag. 1986, 7 (2), 116–124.Google Scholar
13. O'Boyle, D. R. and Dwight, A. E. “Plutonium 1970 and Other Actinides”, Proc. of 4th Int. Canf. on Pu and Other Actinides 1970, 720-733.Google Scholar
14. Wonnell, T. J. M. S. Thesis, University of California (Berkeley), Aug. 1988.Google Scholar
15. Richardson, J. W. Jr. and Faber, J. Jr. Adv. X-ray Anal. 1986, 29, 143–152.Google Scholar