Analysis of the impact of fuel microstructure on irradiation-enhanced densification using grand potential simulations. (February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Greenquist, Ian; Tonks, Michael; Zhang, Yongfeng
• Is Part Of: Annals of nuclear energy. Volume 151(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-02
• Subjects: Uranium dioxide -- Irradiation-enhanced densification -- Phase field; Nuclear energy -- Periodicals; Nuclear engineering -- Periodicals; 621.4805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.anucene.2020.107858
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4549

Abstract

Highlights: We modified a grand potential sintering model to describe irradiation-enhanced diffusion (IED). This new model was demonstrated to give results consistent with literature data. The model was used to investigate the impact of pore size, grain boundaries, and pore interactions on IED. Abstract: Irradiation-enhanced densification (IED) is a form of sintering that occurs within ceramic nuclear fuels during reactor operation. It affects the fuel microstructure and density, which in turn affect the temperature profile and fission gas behavior. In this work, we modify the grand potential sintering model to describe IED. This new model is verified and used in several small test scenarios, demonstrating that its behavior is consistent with experimental data available in the literature. We use the model to gain additional insight into the mechanisms which drive IED: the effects of pore size, the effects of grain boundaries, and the interactions between neighboring pores. Based on these promising results, we propose further development of the model and completion of sensitivity analysis in order to inform future engineering-scale densification models.