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Division Spotlight
Materials Science & Technology
The objectives of MSTD are: promote the advancement of materials science in Nuclear Science Technology; support the multidisciplines which constitute it; encourage research by providing a forum for the presentation, exchange, and documentation of relevant information; promote the interaction and communication among its members; and recognize and reward its members for significant contributions to the field of materials science in nuclear technology.
Meeting Spotlight
Utility Working Conference and Vendor Technology Expo (UWC 2024)
August 4–7, 2024
Marco Island, FL|JW Marriott Marco Island
Standards Program
The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
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Latest News
Vogtle-3 shuts down for valve issue
One of the new Vogtle units in Georgia was shut down unexpectedly on Monday last week for a valve issue that has since been investigated and repaired. According to multiple local news outlets, Georgia Power reported on July 17 that Unit 3 was back in service.
Southern Company spokesperson Jacob Hawkins confirmed that Vogtle-3 went off line at 9:25 p.m. local time on July 8 “due to lowering water levels in the steam generators caused by a valve issue on one of the three main feedwater pumps.”
Gokul Vasudevamurthy, Travis W. Knight
Nuclear Technology | Volume 163 | Number 2 | August 2008 | Pages 321-327
Technical Paper | Materials for Nuclear Systems | doi.org/10.13182/NT08-A3991
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Composite nuclear fuel consisting of uranium carbide (UC) fuel microspheres dispersed in an inert matrix is one of the fuel forms being actively considered for use in gas-cooled fast reactors (GFRs). High-density UC electrodes were required for the production of fuel microspheres by the rotating electrode method as an alternate method to the sol-gel particle production route. These compacts (to serve as electrodes) were fabricated by the exothermic combustion synthesis reaction of uranium hydride and graphite powders. Ignition of combustion synthesis was then followed by solid-state sintering at different temperatures of 1521, 1779, and 1929°C. During the course of testing the electrodes for microsphere production, it was found that the structural integrity of the electrodes and thus their suitability for microsphere production depended on the microstructural characteristics of the electrodes. Those produced at higher temperatures (1929°C) had higher densities (86.6% theoretical density) and lower open porosities (2.3%) and were shown to withstand the mechanical forces and thermal stresses imposed by this microsphere production method. The processing conditions were chosen to evaluate sintering characteristics of UC and to the extent possible to find the lowest possible process temperature. Here it is understood that the intended future GFR fuel form should involve recycled fuels including minor actinides (MAs). Concern over MA volatility in high-temperature processes thus motivated investigating the effects of lower processing temperatures. It was deduced from this study that a delicate balance exists between the processing parameters, the microstructural characteristics of the electrodes, and microsphere production.