A New Swelling Model and Its Application to Uranium Silicide to Uranium Silicide Research Reactor Fuel

A New Swelling Model and Its Application to Uranium Silicide to Uranium Silicide Research Reactor Fuel PDF Author:
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ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 12

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A New Swelling Model and Its Application to Uranium Silicide to Uranium Silicide Research Reactor Fuel

A New Swelling Model and Its Application to Uranium Silicide to Uranium Silicide Research Reactor Fuel PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 12

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A New Swelling Model and Its Application to Uranium Silicide Research Reactor Fuel

A New Swelling Model and Its Application to Uranium Silicide Research Reactor Fuel PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 12

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This document discusses a new version of the dispersion fuel behavior model currently being incorporated in DART, which has been generated. The model's description of fuel swelling - more specifically, the evaluation of fission-gas bubble morphology - is significantly improved. Although some of the assumptions underlying the basic model are derived from systems other than U3Si2, it represents a physically realistic interpretation of the observed irradiation behavior of U3Si2 over a wide range of fission densities and fission rates.

Rate Theory Modeling an Simulations of Silicide Fuel at LWR Conditions

Rate Theory Modeling an Simulations of Silicide Fuel at LWR Conditions PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 30

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Uranium silicide (U3Si2) fuel has higher thermal conductivity and higher uranium density, making it a promising candidate for the accident-tolerant fuel (ATF) used in light water reactors (LWRs). However, previous studies on the fuel performance of U3Si2, including both experimental and computational approaches, have been focusing on the irradiation conditions in research reactors, which usually involve low operation temperatures and high fuel burnups. Thus, it is important to examine the fuel performance of U3Si2 at typical LWR conditions so as to evaluate the feasibility of replacing conventional uranium dioxide fuel with this silicide fuel material. As in-reactor irradiation experiments involve significant time and financial cost, it is appropriate to utilize modeling tools to estimate the behavior of U3Si2 in LWRs based on all those available research reactor experimental references and state-of-the-art density functional theory (DFT) calculation capabilities at the early development stage. Hence, in this report, a comprehensive investigation of the fission gas swelling behavior of U3Si2 at LWR conditions is introduced. The modeling efforts mentioned in this report was based on the rate theory (RT) model of fission gas bubble evolution that has been successfully applied for a variety of fuel materials at devious reactor conditions. Both existing experimental data and DFT-calculated results were used for the optimization of the parameters adopted by the RT model. Meanwhile, the fuel-cladding interaction was captured by the coupling of the RT model with simplified mechanical correlations. Therefore, the swelling behavior of U3Si2 fuel and its consequent interaction with cladding in LWRs was predicted by the rate theory modeling, providing valuable information for the development of U3Si2 fuel as an accident-tolerant alternative for uranium dioxide.

Energy Research Abstracts

Energy Research Abstracts PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Power resources
Languages : en
Pages : 782

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Detailed Analysis of Uranium Silicide Dispersion Fuel Swelling

Detailed Analysis of Uranium Silicide Dispersion Fuel Swelling PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 21

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Swelling of U3Si and U3Si2 is analyzed. The growth of fission gas bubbles appears to be affected by fission rate, fuel loading, and microstructural change taking place in the fuel compounds during irradiation. Several mechanisms are explored to explain the observations. The present work is aimed at a better understanding of the basic swelling phenomenon in order to accurately model irradiation behavior of uranium silicide disperson fuel. 5 refs., 10 figs.

A Physical Description of Fission Product Behavior Fuels for Advanced Power Reactors

A Physical Description of Fission Product Behavior Fuels for Advanced Power Reactors PDF Author:
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ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
The Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) is considering a list of reactors and nuclear fuels as part of its chartered initiative. Because many of the candidate materials have not been explored experimentally under the conditions of interest, and in order to economize on program costs, analytical support in the form of combined first principle and mechanistic modeling is highly desirable. The present work is a compilation of mechanistic models developed in order to describe the fission product behavior of irradiated nuclear fuel. The mechanistic nature of the model development allows for the possibility of describing a range of nuclear fuels under varying operating conditions. Key sources include the FASTGRASS code with an application to UO2 power reactor fuel and the Dispersion Analysis Research Tool (DART) with an application to uranium-silicide and uranium-molybdenum research reactor fuel. Described behavior mechanisms are divided into subdivisions treating fundamental materials processes under normal operation as well as the effect of transient heating conditions on these processes. Model topics discussed include intra- and intergranular gas-atom and bubble diffusion, bubble nucleation and growth, gas-atom re-solution, fuel swelling and?scion gas release. In addition, the effect of an evolving microstructure on these processes (e.g., irradiation-induced recrystallization) is considered. The uranium-alloy fuel, U-xPu-Zr, is investigated and behavior mechanisms are proposed for swelling in the [alpha]-, intermediate- and [gamma]-uranium zones of this fuel. The work reviews the FASTGRASS kinetic/mechanistic description of volatile?scion products and, separately, the basis for the DART calculation of bubble behavior in amorphous fuels. Development areas and applications for physical nuclear fuel models are identified.

Rate Theory Modeling and Simulation of Silicide Fuel at LWR Conditions

Rate Theory Modeling and Simulation of Silicide Fuel at LWR Conditions PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 33

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Book Description
As a promising candidate for the accident tolerant fuel (ATF) used in light water reactors (LWRs), the fuel performance of uranium silicide (U3Si2) at LWR conditions need to be well-understood. In this report, rate theory model was developed based on existing experimental data and density functional theory (DFT) calculations so as to predict the fission gas behavior in U3Si2 at LWR conditions. The fission gas behavior of U3Si2 can be divided into three temperature regimes. During steady-state operation, the majority of the fission gas stays in intragranular bubbles, whereas the dominance of intergranular bubbles and fission gas release only occurs beyond 1000 K. The steady-state rate theory model was also used as reference to establish a gaseous swelling correlation of U3Si2 for the BISON code. Meanwhile, the overpressurized bubble model was also developed so that the fission gas behavior at LOCA can be simulated. LOCA simulation showed that intragranular bubbles are still dominant after a 70 second LOCA, resulting in a controllable gaseous swelling. The fission gas behavior of U3Si2 at LWR conditions is benign according to the rate theory prediction at both steady-state and LOCA conditions, which provides important references to the qualification of U3Si2 as a LWR fuel material with excellent fuel performance and enhanced accident tolerance.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission Issuances

Nuclear Regulatory Commission Issuances PDF Author: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Nuclear energy
Languages : en
Pages : 950

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Thermal Compatibility Studies of Unirradiated Uranium Silicide Dispersed in Aluminum. [Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactor].

Thermal Compatibility Studies of Unirradiated Uranium Silicide Dispersed in Aluminum. [Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactor]. PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
Powder metallurgy dispersions of uranium silicides in an aluminum matrix have been developed by the international Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactors program as a new generation of proliferation-resistant fuels. A major issue of concern is the compatibility of the fuel with the matrix material and the dimensional stability of this fuel type. A total of 45 miniplate-type fuel plates were annealed at 400°C for up to 1981 hours. A data base for the thermal compatibility of unirradiated uranium silicide dispersed in aluminum was established. No modification tested of a standard fuel plate showed any significant reduction of the plate swelling. The cause of the thermal growth of silicide fuel plates was determined to be a two-step process: (1) the reaction of the uranium silicide with aluminum to form U(AlSi)3 and (2) the release of hydrogen and subsequent creep and pillowing of the fuel plate. 9 references, 4 figures, 6 tables.

Irradiation Behavior of Miniature Experimental Uranium Silicide Fuel Plates

Irradiation Behavior of Miniature Experimental Uranium Silicide Fuel Plates PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Uranium silicides, because of their relatively high uranium density, were selected as candidate dispersion fuels for the higher fuel densities required in the Reduced Enrichment Research and Test Reactor (RERTR) Program. Irradiation experience with this type of fuel, however, was limited to relatively modest fission densities in the bulk from, on the order of 7 x 102° cm−3, far short of the approximately 20 x 102° cm−3 goal established for the RERTR program. The purpose of the irradiation experiments on silicide fuels on the ORR, therefore, was to investigate the intrinsic irradiation behavior of uranium silicide as a dispersion fuel. Of particular interest was the interaction between the silicide particles and the aluminum matrix, the swelling behavior of the silicide particles, and the maximum volume fraction of silicide particles that could be contained in the aluminum matrix.