The Fall 2022 MatSE 590 for graduate students consists of an exciting and jam-packed schedule. MATSE 590 is a colloquium (1-3 credits) consist of a series of individual lectures by faculty, students, or outside speakers.
Graduate students will receive a weekly email with information via @psu.edu email. Graduate students are required to attend all 590 Seminars. If you have any questions, please email GradOffice@matse.psu.edu.
September 15, 2022
“An Overview of GE’s Accident Tolerant Fuel Program”
Rajnikant Umretiya, Research Scientist, GE Research
Abstract
The operational life of traditional power reactors such as boiling water reactors (BWR) and pressurized water reactors (PWR) may be extended by replacing the current zirconium based cladding using innovative materials never installed before in the reactors’ core. The newer materials are called Accident Tolerant Fuels (ATF) or Advanced Technology Fuels (ATF) and they may facilitate the extension of the reactors life beyond 60 years. The newer materials will allow for the reactors to increase their operation safety and to make them more competitive economically, for example, by extending the refueling times and by increasing the burn up of the fuels. One is the ATF concepts is to use FeCrAl alloys for the cladding of the fuel. Almost a decade of testing of FeCrAl materials in the entire fuel cycle, their resilience to degradation by water, steam or irradiation has been assessed. In normal operation ~300°C water the content of Cr is important for lower recession rates. A 5 ppb zinc addition in the water also minimizes dissolutions of FeCrAl. Steam oxidation resistance at >1000°C was demonstrated for alloys containing from 6%Al + 12%Cr up to 5%Al + 21%Cr. The degradation of the mechanical properties of FeCrAl by thermal aging and alpha prime formation is not significant to impede their application as cladding. Irradiation degradation of FeCrAl also seems tolerable, data is being generated at the current time.
Biographical Information
RK Umretiya has a Ph.D. in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering from the Virginia Commonwealth University (USA). RK just finished his 1st year at GE Research in Schenectady, NY as a Research Scientist. RK has significant experience in development of accident tolerant fuel cladding with a focus on FeCrAl alloys. Currently RK leads test campaign for a multimillion dollars' multiyear project with Department of Energy in Accident Tolerant Nuclear Fuel. RK is also involved in corrosion mitigation for aviation applications.