Thermochemical Stability, Radiation Testing, Fabrication, and Reprocessing of Mononitride Fuel

• Published in: Atomic energy (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 95; no. 6; pp. 835 - 844
• Main Authors: Rogozkin, B D, Stepennova, N M, Bergman, G A, Proshkin, A A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer Nature B.V 01.12.2003
• Subjects: Fabrication; Helium; Radiation; Studies; Thermodynamics; Vapor pressure
• ISSN: 1063-4258; 1573-8205
• DOI: 10.1023/B:ATEN.0000018996.79185.bc

A thermodynamic analysis and experimental investigations have shown that mononitride fuel is thermochemically stable up to 1973-2073 K, at which temperature the equilibrium vapor pressure of nitrogen does not exceed 4.5·10^sup -7^-2.1·10^sup -6^ MPa. It is concluded on the basis of a generalization of the data from radiation testing of mononitride fuel with burnup up to 9-10% in fast and 16.8% in thermal reactors with lineal power density from 400 to 1300 W/cm that it should operate reliably in fuel elements with helium and liquid-metal sublayers. The requirement for the impurity (oxygen and carbon) content in it is formulated. When both oxygen and carbon impurities are present simultaneously in mononitride, the mass fraction of each should not exceed 0.15%. The methods for fabricating mononitride fuel are determined by the final product of the reprocessing of irradiated fuel. Consequently, methods for fabricating mixed nitride fuel from oxides and metals are now being developed.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]