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Title: Fission gas behavior in mixed-oxide fuel during transient overpower and simulated loss-of-flow tests

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6265386

A portion of the fission gases (Xe, Kr) generated during steady state irradiation of an FBR mixed-oxide fuel is retained within its microstructure, especially in the cooler regions of the fuel. Information on the behavior of these retained gases relative to their microstructural relocation and release during off-normal power and coolant flow conditions is important to the analysis and analytic modeling of fuel-pin transient and reactor core performance. This paper discusses the steady state and transient behavior of retained fission gas relative to the geometry, microstructure, temperature, and apparent release mechanisms within selected axial and radial regions of fuel pins irradiated at medium power (7 to 10 kW/ft) and burnup (30 to 60 MWd/kgm). The specific fuel pins are from the PNL-10 and PNL-2 subassemblies irradiated in EBR-II. The transient overpower tests involved integral fuel pin static capsule experiments performed in TREAT. Loss-of-coolant flow was simulated in an out-of-reactor thermal transient testing system using axial segments of irradiated fuel pins.

Research Organization:
Hanford Engineering Development Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
EY-76-C-14-2170
OSTI ID:
6265386
Report Number(s):
HEDL-SA-1552-S; CONF-790306-23
Resource Relation:
Conference: International conference on fast breeder reactor performance, Monterey, CA, USA, 5 Mar 1979
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English