Grain Growth and Bubble Evolution in U-Mo Alloy by Multiscale Simulations
Increased grain size in U-Mo dispersion fuel is believed to affect the fuel swelling at high fission density. In this work, a multiscale simulation approach combining first-principles calculation and phase-field modeling is used to investigate the grain growth behavior in U-Mo alloys. The material properties of U-Mo alloys predicted by first-principles calculations are incorporated into the mesoscale phase-field models to study the effect of annealing temperature, annealing time and the initial grain structures of fuel particles on the grain growth. The grain growth rate is evaluated and compared with experiment. Meanwhile, the gas bubble evolution kinetics in irradiated U-Mo alloy fuels is investigated to understand its effect on fuel swelling. We systematically examine the effect of Xe, vacancy, and SIA concentration, fission defect generation, and elastic interaction on the growth kinetics of gas bubble. The bubble size distribution and swelling of U-Mo are simulated and compared to experimental measurements.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) - Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation - Office of Material Management and Minimization (NA-23) Reactor Conversion Program
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-06CH11357
- OSTI ID:
- 1311915
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 2015 RERTR International Meeting - 36th International Meeting on Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactors, 10/11/15 - 10/14/15, Seoul, KR
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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