Model to predict swelling, gas release, and densification in oxide fuels (AWBA development program)

Technical Report · Thu Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1978

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6705028· OSTI ID:6705028

Dollins, C. C.

A model was developed to predict in-pile fission gas swelling, gas release, and densification in oxide fuels. This model considers fission gas behavior at the grain interior, on the grain boundaries, and at grain boundary edges under conditions of total gas bubble destruction by fission fragments and partial gas bubble destruction. When gas bubble swelling on grain edges reaches 5 percent, it is assumed that gas tunnels form along the edges. Gas release takes place by migration of the gas in the grains and on the grain boundaries to the edge tunnels. Intergranular and intragranular densifications are considered. Densification takes place by vacancy boil-off due to thermal excitation and vacancy knockout by the passage of fission fragments through the pores. The migration rates of both vacancies and interstitials to pores are also calculated. Comparisons are made between the model and experimental data for swelling, gas release, and densification and found to be in reasonable agreement in most cases.

• Research Organization: Bettis Atomic Power Lab., West Mifflin, PA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-11-0014
• OSTI ID: 6705028
• Report Number(s): WAPD-TM-1304
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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