Ceramic Composite Fuel Encapsulation in High Efficiency, Advanced Pebble-Bed Gas Reactors

75046-Generation IV nuclear energy technology must be cost competitive with natural gas power generation, safe to operate, resistant to nuclear proliferation, and generate minimal waste in a readily disposable form. Advanced pebble-bed reactors meet all of these requirements with one exception ¿ safety concerns associated with severe air ingress into the reactor vessel. This project will develop technology for encapsulating the fuel-containing pebbles within a ceramic composite material, improving not only the inherent safety of the reactor but also the overall strength and damage tolerance of the fuel pebbles. Phase I will demonstrate that a silicon-carbide fiber-reinforced silicon-carbide matrix composite can be fabricated utilizing ball winding techniques, and that these composites can provide robust fuel pebble encapsulation for advanced high temperature gas reactor-based nuclear power generation. The thermal and mechanical properties of the ceramic composite will be measured to aid future modeling and design optimization efforts. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Encapsulating fuel pebbles in a stable protective environment would increase the safety of pebble-bed reactors. At this level of safety, government regulators and the general populace would readily accept nuclear technologies as an alternative to fossil-fuel-based power generation. The ceramic matrix composites also should be applicable across a broad range of other high-temperature, energy-related applications such as stationary turbine and power generation components, radiant burners, and heat exchanger tubes.