b'Project Description: tion test data to validate the method This project aims to assess the fabri- to license a concept. However, both cability of the two concepts outlinedapproaches could provide a substan-above. The first utilizes an integraltial shift in the overall approach to effects testing approach at ATR whereirradiation testing of fuels in the US the enrichment is increased whilenuclear program. To this end, research the size is reduced (1/2, 1/3 andthis fiscal year (FY) has focused on 1/4 scale for light water reactorfabricating ceramic nuclear fuels to (LWR) scaled pellets and 1/2 scalethe appropriate geometries described for fast reactor designs) to match theabove. Initial attempts were demon-overall linear heat generation ratestrated on a non-radiological surro-of a standard sized fuel pellet. Thisgate, CeO 2 , followed by fabrication presents challenges not only in thestudies on UO 2and U 3 Si 2 .ability to fabricate dense pellets withAccomplishments:the prescribed geometries, whichResearch at the Fuels Research are anticipated to be ranging from 3Laboratory (FRL) this year has shown mm to 10 mm diameter in size andprogress in the field of small scale test either solid monoliths or annular tospecimens for both the accelerated accommodate both thermal and fastburnup experiments as well as for spectrum fuel designs, but also havethe MiniFuel irradiation test concept. a custom enrichment up to 30%Specimen preparation for the acceler-requiring increases in authorizationated burnup experiments was able to basis. The second approach is theyield >90% dense pellets for mono-MiniFuel concept, which utilizes alithic and annular geometries using much smaller specimen geometry onUO 2 , CeO 2 , and U 3 Si 2 . Some examples the order of 3 mm in diameter by 0.3of successful pellets are shown for mm to minimize irradiative heating inCeO 2and UO 2in Figure 1 for the the specimen allowing for a separatemaximum and minimum pellet effects style investigations. Bothdimensions demonstrated in this concepts present their own challenges for fabricability and will also require benchmarking against historic irradia-2019|AFC ACCOMPLISHMENTS 23'