National Lab Creates New Device to Test Safety Limits of Nuclear Fuel

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) recently released footage of a new experiment that simulates what happens to a nuclear fuel pin when it starts to overheat. The new series of tests will ultimately help researchers better understand the safety limits of nuclear fuel. INL conducted the experiments at its Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT) using a first-of-a-kind device that can detect and study the critical heat flux of a nuclear fuel rod. Critical heat flux is the physical phenomenon that occurs when a fuel rod first begins to overheat and can no longer transfer additional heat to the water. This leads to excessive boiling around the surface of the pin and could potentially cause excessive fuel damage. A Unique Look ... Read full article.