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Title: Procedure for calculation of steady-state temperature in Zircaloy-clad, bulk-oxide fuel elements using the FIGRO computer program (LWBR Development Program)

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:7010676

Procedures are specified for using the FIGRO computer program to calculate clad and fuel temperatures in Zircaloy-clad bulk-oxide fuel rods. Rod temperature distributions are calculated at specified depletions from input values of surface heat flux, coolant temperature and pressure, heat transfer coefficients, temperature-dependent clad thermal conductivity, temperature-dependent and concentration-dependent gas thermal conductivity in the fuel-clad gap, and temperature-, depletion-, and porosity-dependent fuel thermal conductivity. Provision is made to account for temperature increases due to long-time crud and corrosion film buildup and steam properties are utilized to compute gap conductance in a defected fuel element. Gap dimensions are adjusted to account for differential thermal expansion and fuel swelling. All major assumptions and analytical procedures are identified. Material property inputs are specified on both a best estimate and design (worst-case) basis. These procedures were developed as part of the LWBR development program. 21 references. (NSA 24: 11190)

Research Organization:
Bettis Atomic Power Lab., Pittsburgh, PA (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AT(11-1)-GEN-14
OSTI ID:
7010676
Report Number(s):
WAPD-TM-757
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English