Status of SFR Metal Fuel Development

Metal fuel, U-TRU-Zr is being developed for the Generation-IV sodium cooled fast reactor. TRU recovered through the pyro-electrochemical processing of spent LWR fuel, which is highly radioactive owing to minor actinides and also contains the chemically active lanthanide elements, is used to fabricate the metal fuel. Therefore, a simple fuel slug casting system which can control the volatile elements and handle chemically active lanthanide elements is being developed. Ferritic martensitic steel cladding is being developed to be used for high burnup fuel. Barrier technology to prevent interaction between metal fuel and cladding was investigated and Cr electroplating on the inner surface of the cladding was developed. Fabricated metal fuel rods including Cr-plated barrier cladding were irradiated in the reactor and post-irradiation examination is currently ongoing. (author)