Scientists at the Argonne National Laboratory have made a groundbreaking discovery by studying how liquid plutonium oxide (PuO2) behaves at extremely high temperatures, reaching up to 3,000 Kelvin. This breakthrough research holds significant implications for improving the safety and design of future nuclear reactors.
The researchers employed an innovative method by suspending small samples of PuO2 in a gas stream and heating them with a laser. This allowed them to measure the sample’s structure at high temperatures without risking contamination from container interactions.
The findings revealed notable changes in the melt’s volatility and structure across different atmospheric conditions. The research team also discovered that the liquid structure was similar to cerium oxide, which can be used as a non-radioactive substitute.
To further understand the behavior of electrons in the system, the researchers utilized Argonne’s powerful supercomputers, developing machine learning models to simulate how electrons behave. This aims to shed light on bonding mechanisms and safety issues when using mixed oxide fuels in future nuclear reactors.
The significance of this research extends beyond improving reactor design, providing insights into the fundamental behavior of actinide oxides at extreme temperatures. The findings will contribute to the development of safer and more efficient nuclear energy systems.
Source: https://interestingengineering.com/energy/us-nuclear-reactor-plutonium-oxide