Multiscale Simulation of Thermo-Mechanical Processes in Irradiated Fission-Reactor Materials

Louis Rene Corrales

关键词: BUBBLES;    COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION;    DIFFUSION;    EFFICIENCY;    FISSION PRODUCTS;    IRRADIATION;    LIFETIME;    NUCLEAR FUELS;    SIMULATION;    URANIUM OXIDES;    XENON;   

DOI  :  10.2172/991658
RP-ID  :  DOE/ER/46369- Final Report
PID  :  OSTI ID: 991658
Others  :  TRN: US1101727

美国|英语

来源: SciTech Connect

【 摘 要 】

This research characterized, by atomic level molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, the early stage aggregation of the fission product xenon in a model uranium oxide nuclear fuel matrix that contributes to the long term bubble formation mechanisms that compromise the efficiency and lifetime of nuclear fuels. These atomic level computer simulations disclosed a previously unknown pre-coarsening phenomenon in which the clustering of xenon is driven by vacancy diffusion. These key findings are to be included in higher level simulations of nuclear fuel thermo-mechanical processes that model irradiation effects within nuclear fuels. Previous multiscale models did not include these early time pre-coarsened clusters that occur in the nanosecond regime and therefore will lead to a better understanding of bubble formation in nuclear fuels.