2017 | AFC ACCOMPLISHMENTS 44 ATF Industry Teams - AREVA Principal Investigator: Kiran Nimishakavi Collaborators: University of Florida (UF) and Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) Figure 1. Cr-coated tubes welded to end plugs using AREVA’s upset shape welding process. The work in Phase 1 has been successful in providing data that allowed the AREVATeam to assess several Enhanced Accident Tolerant Fuel (EATF) concepts with the goal of being able to deploy Lead Test Rods or LeadTest Assemblies (LTRs/LTAs) in a commercial reactor by 2022.As a result of several gate reviews and the subsequent DOE technical review committee recommendation, in Phase 2,AREVA team narrowed its focus on two EATF concepts 1) A near term solution based on a fuel rod design utilizing Chromium-Coated Zirconium-alloy Cladding with Chromia-Doped UO2 Pellets, 2) A longer-term solution with a Silicon Carbide (SiC) Advanced Cladding Concept. So the work in 2017 is mainly centered on the development of these two concepts. Project Description In Phase 2,AREVA’s plan is to perform the necessary irradiation testing, manufacturing integration, and analysis of chosen EATF concepts to support the fabrication and insertion of LTAs and fully demonstrate to utilities the value and performance under normal opera- tion and accident conditions. The key technical objectives of this research are: 1. Support development and characterization of the advanced fuel concept through testing and analyses. 2. Fully evaluate the performance of the concept and assess the eco- nomic impacts. 3. Support qualification and integra- tion of manufacturing processes. Advanced Fuel concepts bring the potential to not only significantly enhance the reactors capability to withstand accidents but may provide the means to streamline and improve plant operational and maintenance costs in a very challenging economic market.