Microstructural evolution and Am migration behavior in Am-containing MOX fuels at the initial stage of irradiation

Tanaka, Kosuke  ; Miwa, Shuhei  ; Sato, Isamu; Osaka, Masahiko  ; Hirosawa, Takashi  ; Obayashi, Hiroshi ; Koyama, Shinichi  ; Yoshimochi, Hiroshi; Tanaka, Kenya

In order to investigate the effect of americium addition to MOX fuels on the irradiation behavior, the "Am-1" program is being conducted in JAEA. The Am-1 program consists of two short-term irradiation tests of 10-minute and 24-hour irradiations and a steady-state irradiation test. The short-term irradiation tests were successfully completed and the post irradiation examinations (PIEs) are in progress. The PIEs for Am-containing MOX fuels focused on the microstructural evolution and redistribution behavior of Am at the initial stage of irradiation and the results to date are reported. Successful development of fabrication technology with remote handling and evaluation of thermo-chemical properties based on the out-of-pile experiments are described with an emphasis on the effects of Am addition on the MOX fuel properties.