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Noordhoek, Mark J.

Publications and source records attributed to Noordhoek, Mark J..

10 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2017

Modeling defect and fission gas properties in U-Si fuels

Uranium silicides, in particular U 3 Si 2 , are being explored as an advanced nuclear fuel with increased accident tolerance as well as competitive economics compared to the baseline UO2 fuel. They benefit from high thermal conductivity (metallic) compared to UO 2 fuel (insulator or semi-conductor) used in current Light Water Reactors (LWRs). The U-Si fuels also have higher fissile density. In order to perform meaningful engineering scale nuclear fuel performance simulations, the material properties of the fuel, including the response to irradiation environments, must be known. Unfortunately, the data available for USi fuels are rather limited, in particular for the temperature range where LWRs would operate. The ATF HIP is using multi-scale modeling and simulations to address this knowledge gap.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Phase equilibria in the U-Si system from first-principles calculations

Density functional theory calculations have been used with spin-orbit coupling and on-site Coulomb correction (GGA + U) methods to investigate the U-Si system. Structural prediction methods were employed to identify alternate stable structures. Convex hulls of the U-Si system were constructed for each of the methods to highlight the competing energetics of various phases. For GGA calculations, new structures are predicted to be dynamically stable, but these have not been experimentally observed. When the GGA + U (U eff > 1.3 eV) method is considered, the experimentally observed structures are predicted to be energetically preferred. Phonon calculations were used to investigate the energy predictions and showed that the use of the GGA + U method removes the significant imaginary frequencies observed for U 3 Si 2 when the correction is not considered. In conclusion, total and partial electron density of states calculations were also performed to understand the role of GGA + U methods and orbitals on the bonding and stability of U-Si compounds.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Homogeneous hydride formation path in α-Zr: Molecular dynamics simulations with the charge-optimized many-body potential

A formation path for homogeneous γ hydride formation in hcp α-Zr, from solid solution to the ζ and then the γ hydride, was demonstrated using molecular static calculations and molecular dynamic simulations with the charge-optimized many-body (COMB) potential. Hydrogen has limited solubility in α-Zr. Once the solubility limit is exceeded, the stability of solid solution gives way to that of coherent hydride phases such as the ζ hydride by planar precipitation of hydrogen. At finite temperatures, the ζ hydride goes through a partial hcp-fcc transformation via 1/3 <1¯100> slip on the basal plane, and transforms into a mixture of γ hydride and α-Zr. In the ζ hydride, slip on the basal plane is favored thermodynamically with negligible barrier, and is therefore feasible at finite temperatures without mechanical loading. The transformation process involves slips of three equivalent shear partials, in contrast to that proposed in the literature where only a single shear partial was involved. The adoption of multiple slip partials minimizes the macroscopic shape change of embedded hydride clusters and the shear strain accumulation in the matrix, and thus reduces the overall barrier needed for homogeneous γ hydride formation. In conclusion, this formation path requires finite temperatures for hydrogen diffusion without mechanical loading. Therefore, it should be effective at the cladding operating conditions.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗