Status update on mini-plate experiment designs planned for irradiation in the advanced test reactor

Several mini-plate-scale fuel tests are being planned for irradiation in the Advanced Test Reactor in support of low-enriched uranium fuel development for conversion of research reactors. Three of the tests that are supported by the Office of Materials Management and Minimization, U.S. Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration, are currently in design phase. The first test, European Mini-Plate irradiation Experiment (EMPIRE), is focused on developing better understanding of the factors limiting performance of the U-7Mo-based dispersion fuel, which is the prime candidate for conversion of several European research reactors (i.e., members of the HERACLES Consortium). The other tests, Mini-Plate-1 (MP-1) and Mini-Plate-2 (MP-2), are part of the U-10Mo monolithic fuel development for conversion of U.S. research reactors. MP-1 is focused on evaluating performance of the U-10Mo monolithic fuels manufactured using different fabrication methods and MP-2 is the follow-up qualification test of the monolithic fuel down selected at the conclusion of the MP-1 test. Key design aspects of the three mini-plate irradiation tests will be discussed in this paper. (author)