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Title: Deformation analysis of SiC-SiC channel box for BWR applications

Journal Article · · Journal of Nuclear Materials

Silicon carbide fiber-reinforced silicon carbide matrix (SiC-SiC) composites are being considered as components in light water reactor cores to improve accident tolerance, including channel boxes and fuel cladding. In the nuclear reactor environment, core components like a channel box will be exposed to neutron and other radiation damage and temperature gradients. To ensure reliable and safe operation of a SiC-SiC channel box, it is important to assess its deformation behavior under in-reactor conditions including the expected neutron flux and temperature distributions. In particular, this work has evaluated the effect of non-uniform dimensional changes caused by spatially varying neutron flux and temperatures on the deformation behavior of the channel box over the course of one year. These analyses have been performed using the fuel performance modeling code BISON and the commercial finite element analysis code Abaqus, based on fast flux and temperature boundary conditions that have been calculated using the neutronics and thermal-hydraulics codes Serpent and CTF, respectively. The dependence of dimensions and thermophysical properties on fast flux and temperature has been incorporated into the material models. These initial results indicate significant bowing of the channel box with a lateral displacement greater than 6.5 mm. The channel box bowing behavior is time dependent and driven by the temperature dependence of the SiC irradiation-induced swelling and the neutron flux/fluence gradients. The bowing behavior gradually recovers during the course of the operating cycle as the swelling of the SiC-SiC material saturates. Furthermore, the bending relaxation due to temperature gradients does not fully recover and residual bending remains after the swelling saturates in the entire channel box.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725
OSTI ID:
1543232
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1635945
Journal Information:
Journal of Nuclear Materials, Vol. 513, Issue C; ISSN 0022-3115
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 11 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (1)

Thermodynamic descriptions of the light rare‐earth elements in silicon carbide ceramics journal February 2020