A semi-empirical model for the formation and depletion of the high burnup structure in UO 2
[1];
- European Commission, Karlsruhe (Germany). Joint Research Centre; Department of Energy, Milan (Italy)
- European Commission, Karlsruhe (Germany). Joint Research Centre; Technical Univ. of Munich (Germany)
- Department of Energy, Milan (Italy)
- Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- European Commission, Karlsruhe (Germany). Joint Research Centre
In the rim zone of UO2 nuclear fuel pellets, the combination of high burnup and low temperature drives a microstructural change, leading to the formation of the high burnup structure (HBS). In this work, we propose a semi-empirical model to describe the formation of the HBS, which embraces the polygonisation/recrystallization process and the depletion of intra-granular fission gas, describing them as inherently related. To this end, we per-formed grain-size measurements on samples at radial positions in which the restructuring was incomplete. Moreover, based on these new experimental data, we assume an exponential reduction of the average grain size with local effective burnup, paired with a simultaneous depletion of intra-granular fission gas driven by diffusion. The comparison with currently used models indicates the applicability of the herein developed model within integral fuel performance codes.
- Research Organization:
- Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC07-05ID14517
- OSTI ID:
- 1393171
- Report Number(s):
- INL/JOU-16-39368; PII: S0022311516307279
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Nuclear Materials, Vol. 487, Issue C; ISSN 0022-3115
- Publisher:
- ElsevierCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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