b'General Electric Progress in Developing Accident Tolerant FuelsPrincipal Investigator: Rajnikant (RK) V. UmretiyaTeam Members/Collaborators: Evan J. Dolley, Raul B. Rebak, Russ M. Fawcett, Allan Jaworski, Sarah Desilva, Rich Augi, David Barrientos, Dan Lutz, Tyler Schweitzer, Jason Harp, David Kamerman, Fabiola Cappia, Scarlett Widgeon PaisnerG eneral Electric (GE) hasrequire comprehensive evaluation been actively engaged in thethroughout the entire fuel cycle, research and developmentfrom cost-effective fabrication to of accident tolerant fuels (ATFs)the final disposal of used fuel. GE since October 2012. Their effortsis actively involved in assessing are focused on various approachesATF fuel materials across the entire to create a more resilient andLWR fuel cycle (Figure 2). Collabora-cost-effective fuel that can enduretion with utility partners such as accident scenarios, reduce hydrogenSouthern Nuclear and Constellation, production, and maintain a coolableas well as national laboratories like fuel structure for extended periods.Idaho National Laboratory (INL), These approaches encompass:Los Alamos National Laboratory, 1. Exploring two cladding options,and Oak Ridge National Labora-namely ARMOR or coatedtory (ORNL), along with industrial Zircaloy-2, and monolithic FeCrAl. partners like Alleima AB (formerly Sandvik Materials Technology), is 2. Enhancing the thermalongoing. Importantly, the insights and mechanical charac- gained from studying materials like teristics of the fuel. IronClad or FeCrAl cladding can also 3. Investigating fuels with higherbe applied to future reactor genera-fissile uranium enrichment levelstions (i.e., Advanced Small Modular exceeding 5% and burn-up limitsReactors), as these alloys exhibit greater than 62 GWd/MtU. (Figure 1) exceptional strength and oxidation resistance at temperatures exceeding Project Description: 600C. Additionally, this project is The primary technical goals ofplaying a pivotal role in training the the GE-led ATF Project are tonext generation of nuclear materials develop materials that enhancescientists, ensuring the continuity of the reliability of fuel rods in lightnuclear energy as a reliable source of water reactors (LWRs), improvingclean power.both safety and cost-effectiveness. These advanced materials haveAccomplishments:the potential to extend theThe accomplishments for operational lifespan of existingGE can be summarized in reactors, preventing prematurethe following areas:decommissioning. With nuclearReported by Sarah Desilva and energy expected to play a crucialAllan Jaworskirole in mitigating climate change,During the fiscal year of 2023, via decarbonization, in the comingcoating cladding work continued decades, these innovative mate- research and development activi-rials, although untested in LWRs, 140 2023|AFC ACCOMPLISHMENTS'