Nuclear Energy Research Initiative (NERI) Program Continuous Fiber Wound Ceramic Composite (CFCC) for Commercial Water Reactor Fuel-Technical Progress Report

Our program began on August 1, 1999. As of January 1, 2000, the progress has been in contracting, materials selection, and test planning. All 3 subcontracts are now in place (McDermott Technologies Inc. for ceramic fabrication, Swales Aerospace for LOCA testing, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology for in Reactor testing). With regard to material selection, we visited McDermott Technologies on December 6, 1999 to discuss the progress on Materials Selection and issues regarding Permeability Reduction in CFCC materials. We are evaluating several options for reducing the permeability of the CFCC materials, including Chemical Vapor Infiltration. McDermott Technologies is approximately two months late on their scheduled delivery to Gamma of Materials Selection reports. They have indicated by letter that they plan to deliver a draft and then final Materials Selection Report to Gamma by January 15 and February 1st, 2000, respectively. With regard to Test Planning, Swales Aerospace is proceeding with engineering the test chamber. The power supply selection for the Kanthal furnace was changed from AC to DC current to simplify equipment and operation. The mechanism for opening the ''sliding door'' on bottom of furnace has been changed from air cylinder to stainless steel spring/cord to provide inherent simplicity and failsafe operation. Alumina tubing for apparatus calibration was obtained from Coors Ceramics; 0.5 x 1/16 foot wall x 16 inches, grade AD-998, 99.8% Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}, density 3.9 gr/cc. This will be cut into 3 inch specimen and very closely matches the expected test specimens from McDermott. Swales and Gamma are currently selecting extension springs from Associated Spring to provide a tension on furnace ''bottom door''. Swales and Gamma are currently evaluating sample of Alumina board from Zircar for the furnace ''door.''