A Study of the Thermodynamic Properties of Nd-C and Ce-C TRISO Fission Product Binary Systems
Source abstract
Abstract
TRISO fuels are proposed for portable and modular power reactor technologies. Expansion is dependent upon improvements to safety through a thorough understanding of fission product behavior as related to functional containment design philosophies. Significant knowledge gaps exist in the thermodynamic behavior of neodymium and cerium fission products solubility in graphite, which play a role in the qualification of TRISO fuels. DSC measurements were conducted on Nd-C and Ce-C carbide fission products to expand upon calculated phase equilibria. Various crucible tests, calibrant experimentation, sample generation and sample preparation techniques, and new thermodynamic measurements have been performed. New phase equilibria were produced to improve Nd-C and Ce-C phase diagrams and further inform models of fission product behavior within TRISO fuels. The following phase transition temperatures are reported for Nd-C, with an error of ±32.7 °C: 10 mol%C—844.6 °C, 891.2 °C, and 911.2 °C; 16 mol%C—724.1 °C and 771.2 °C; 20 mol%C—731.8 °C; 25 mol%C—726.1 °C and 762.2 °C; 30 mol%C—718.5 °C and 976.4 °C; 35 mol%C—825.1 °C and 995.3 °C; 40 mol%C—1274.6 °C. The following phase transition temperatures are reported for Ce-C with an error of ±32.7 °C: 20 mol%C—878.6 °C; 32 mol%C—714.7 °C and 857 °C; 67 mol%C—1138.7 °C.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Nuclear Materials and Properties · Rare-earth and actinide compounds · Thermodynamic and Structural Properties of Metals and Alloys
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Department of Energy and Nuclear Engineering, Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, ON L1G 0C5, Canada
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
Department of Engineering Physics, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
Funding
Canada Research Chairs program of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada · Canadian Foundation for Innovation · Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation Trade
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