PNNL

Abstract

The work described in this report has evaluated the technical feasibility of maturing the pulsed current technology and its full-scale application to processing TRISO used nuclear fuel. No insurmountable technological or safety barriers were identified to successfully maturing the technology to the fourth TRL, which was considered appropriate for a DOE-NE program. The authors recommend DOE-NE’s Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Supply Chain Office should pursue the technology on that basis. In the immediate future, the authors recommend DOE-NE’s Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Supply Chain Office should acquire non-radioactive surrogate and natural uranium TRISO compacts and pebbles as they become available from commercial vendors. These surrogates could then be used to mature the pulsed current technology.