Scientists from Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU), together with colleagues from Belarus and Kazakhstan, have concluded that thanks to the chromium coating, nuclear fuel becomes more resistant to accidents. Specialists applied a thin layer of chromium to a zirconium alloy, which is used for fuel rod cladding at nuclear power plants. Experimentally, scientists found that this coating protects against radiation by 15–20% and slows down the accumulation of hydrogen by 1.8 times, which makes the fuel safer.
Tolerant nuclear fuel is a new type of fuel for nuclear power plants that minimizes the risk of accidents. The development will cope with the problem of loss of coolant in the reactor and will prevent a dangerous reaction between zirconium and steam (which could lead to an explosion).
Using magnetron sputtering technology, scientists coated a zirconium alloy with a layer of chromium 6-10 micrometers thick. The chromium coating withstood a temperature range from 360 degrees (the operating temperature of fuel elements) to 900 degrees (emergency situation).
The results are impressive: chromium plating protects the material, reducing the likelihood of explosive reactions. Hydrogen, which can accumulate and cause problems, remains at the border of chromium and zirconium, and there is almost half as much of it in the rod. Viktor Kudiyarov, Associate Professor at TPU, added that such fuel elements could become the foundation for the development of a new generation of nuclear fuel. Nuclear power plants will become safer.
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