Wednesday, March 19, 2008 INL Advanced Test Reactor test site An
earlier post described the start of testing of the multiple-
layer-coated fuel grains that form the billiard-ball-sized fuel
pebbles in the pebble bed reactor. Idaho National Laboratory
used its Advanced Test Reactor to expose these test fuel grains
to radiation levels much higher than in an operational PBR, thus
simulating years of exposure in a few months. The multiple,
coated layers of silicon carbide and ceramic graphite contain
the radioactive products of fission. These tested fuel grains
have not failed, at the level of 9% burn-up of the uranium
within. Tests will continue to see if a 12-14% burnup can be
achieved by year-end. Tuesday, March 4, 2008 Will the public
rethink nuclear power? I have not posted anything to this blog
about pebble bed reactors for months. I have been busy
developing a way to educate the general public about the broader
issues of nuclear power. Most people to whom I have presented
the pebble bed reactor have been en