TRISO particle fuel is structurally more resistant to neutron irradiation, corrosion, oxidation and high temperatures than traditional reactor fuels.
Photo courtesy of INL
2/5TRISO particles
TRISO particles have a fuel kernel made up of uranium dioxide or uranium oxycarbide that is then coated with four layers.
Photo courtesy of INL
3/5TRISO particles
Each particle acts as its own containment system thanks to its coated layers. This allows them to retain fission products under all reactor conditions.
Photo courtesy of INL
4/5TRISO particles
TRISO particles can be fabricated into cylindrical pellets for use in either high-temperature gas or molten salt-cooled reactors.
Photo courtesy of INL
5/5TRISO particles
TRISO particles can also be fabricated into billiard ball-sized spheres called “pebbles” for use in either high-temperature gas or molten salt-cooled reactors.