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At least 37 records · Page 2

Multi-scale simulation of high burnup UO2 nuclear fuel during loss-of-coolant accident conditions

To improve the economics of commercial nuclear energy generation, U.S. utilities are currently seeking licensing approval to operate UO2 fuel to higher burnups. One significant safety issue that must be addressed to obtain approval is the potential for fine fragmentation/pulverization of the fuel during a loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA). It has been hypothesized that pulverization is caused by the rapid increase of pressure in fission gas bubbles in the high burnup region of the fuel during a LOCA. To better understand this phenomenon, a novel phase-field model of the fission gas bubble microstructure in UO2 has been developed and implemented in Idaho National Laboratory (INL)'s Marmot application for phase-field simulation of nuclear materials. Simulations of the bubble response to steady-state and transient conditions were conducted, and the results were used to inform a mechanistic model of pulverization in BISON, INL’s fuel performance simulation code.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Atomistic and cluster dynamics modeling of fission gas (Xe) diffusivity in TRISO fuel kernels

TRISO fuel particles are candidates for use in next generation reactors including gas reactors, fluoride salt-cooled high temperature reactors, and micro-reactors. The UCO fuel kernel consists of a uranium dioxide (UO) and uranium carbide mixture. The addition of UC helps suppress the formation of carbon monoxide gas, which led to failures during initial TRISO development. The addition of uranium carbide alters the chemistry of the UO kernel, which is known to influence performance parameters such as fission gas diffusivity, although the impact has not been quantified and no models exist that take the change in chemistry into account. Therefore, better understanding and more accurate models of the impact of chemistry on fuel performance are of high priority. In this paper, a first-principles density functional theory (DFT) and empirical potential based multi-scale study has been carried out to model the diffusivity of fission gas xenon (Xe) in UCO TRISO fuel kernels. The focus is on the UO component in the UCO fuel kernels, as that represents the largest volume fraction of the fuel kernels. The study relies on DFT and empirical potential calculations to determine Xe and point defect properties, which are then used in thermodynamic and kinetic models to predict diffusion for intrinsic conditions. In addition, the information is utilized in cluster dynamics simulations using the Centipede code to estimate the impact of irradiation on defect transport. Additionally, the presence of UC or UC in the UCO fuel kernels is shown to have a substantial impact on the UO non-stoichiometry by inducing oxygen vacancies and driving UO sub-stoichiometric, which causes much slower Xe diffusion in UCO compared to light water reactor UO fuel. The application of this model in fuel performance simulations using the Bison code is also demonstrated.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Investigation of γ - ( U , Z r ) structural properties and its interfacial properties with liquid sodium using ab initio molecular dynamics

In this study, the elastic properties, structural parameters, sound velocity, and Debye temperature of γ–(U,Zr) were computed using ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) at temperatures between 1000 K and 1400 K and for Zr content between 0 at. % and 100 at. %. UZr is used as a metallic fuel for Sodium Fast Reactors (SFRs). The study of the mechanical and thermal behavior of these alloys leads to a better data-informed fuel design. The bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young's modulus, and Poisson's ratio were calculated from the elastic constants and their dependence on Zr content and temperature was investigated, comparing the results with previous computational work and the available experimental data in the literature. Interfacial properties between UZr (up to 32 at. % which typically exists in nuclear fuel) and liquid sodium are also of interest due to the presence of a sodium bond between the fuel and the cladding in metallic nuclear fuel. The interfacial energy between γ–(U,Zr) and liquid sodium, the surface tension of liquid sodium, and the work of adhesion were computed at different temperatures and Zr concentrations. It was demonstrated that γ–(U,Zr) is completely wetted by liquid sodium at all the investigated temperatures and Zr concentrations. Finally, this work provides the basis for the determination of interfacial resistances in SFRs and their implementation into heat transfer fuel performance simulations, which will be the subject of future work.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

COUPLED MULTIPHYSICS PRIMARY LOOP SIMULATIONS OF THE Mk1-FHR IN THE VIRTUAL TEST BED

The Virtual Test Bed (VTB) repository hosts a wide range of challenge problems to showcase modeling and simulation capabilities to support advanced reactor demonstration. A coupled multiphysics model of the Mk1 pebble-bed fluoride-salt-cooled high-temperature reactor (PB-FHR) is presented here. The analysis leverages NEAMS tools (Griffin), SAM, Pronghorn, and the MOOSE heat conduction module) for core neutronics, thermal hydraulics of the core and the primary loop, and multiscale fuel performance simulations. The analysis was entirely created by coupling standalone simulations of the reactor previously available on the VTB. All input files and documentation developed for this example are available on the VTB website: \url{mooseframework.inl.gov/virtual_test_bed/}}. This model was featured in the NRIC Tech Talk presented in December 2021.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Coupled Multiphysics Primary Loop Simulations of the Mk1-FHR in the Virtual Test Bed

To support advanced reactor demonstrations, the Virtual Test Bed (VTB) [1] repository hosts a wide range of challenge problems for showcasing modeling and simulation capabil- ities in support of advanced reactor demonstrations. This document presents a coupled multiphysics model of the Mark 1 pebble-bed fluoride-salt-cooled high-temperature reactor (PB-FHR). The analysis leverages NEAMS tools (Griffin [2], SAM [3], Pronghorn [4], and the MOOSE [5] heat con- duction module) for core neutronics, thermal hydraulics of the core and primary loop, and multiscale fuel performance simulations. The analysis was entirely created by coupling standalone simulations of the reactor that were previously available on the VTB. All input files and documentation de- veloped for this example are available on the VTB website: mooseframework.inl.gov/ virtual_test_bed/ . This model was featured in the National Reactor Innovation Cen- ter Tech Talk presented in December 2021.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

An integrated approach to examine fuel-cladding chemical interaction in HT9/U-10Zr metallic fast reactor fuels: Coupling machine learning with electron microscopy and local mechanical properties analysis

The metallic U-Zr nuclear fuel alloy has garnered renewed interest as a promising candidate for next-generation sodium-cooled fast reactors. Recent studies and technology assessments have identified several areas requiring improvements, enhanced knowledge, and reliable data to strengthen the U-Zr fuel design basis for qualification and commercial applications. One of the most challenging phenomena impacting this fuel system’s performance is fuel-cladding chemical interaction (FCCI). This work aimed to harvest FCCI data by examining selected HT9/U-10Zr (wt. %) fuel samples of prototypic full-length fuel pins through an integrated approach. This approach integrated scanning electron microscopy (SEM) microstructure characterization with localized mechanical properties examination to deepen understanding of FCCI phenomenon in HT9/U-10Zr fuel system. Particularly, this study focused on MFF fuel pins irradiated at Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF), which aimed to qualify metallic fuel as a driver fuel for FFTF and to assess its viability for larger-scale fast reactors. Electron microscopy provided high confidence in detecting and distinguishing the different FCCI layers, while small-scale mechanical testing (SSMT) probed the mechanical properties of these layers. SEM examination of a MFF-2 pin 192167, with a time averaged inner cladding temperature (TICT) slightly over 500°C, revealed minimal cladding-side FCCI (cladding wastage). In contrast, significantly thicker cladding wastage comprising two distinct sublayers was observed in samples from the thermally hot MFF-3 pin 193045 and MFF-5 pin 195011 where the TICT ranged from 610-635°C. SSMT indicated complete embrittlement in the sublayer adjacent to the fuel and a tendency toward embrittlement in the other sublayer. Additionally, a new machine learning method was developed, validated, and used to quantify cladding wastage thickness. The machine learning method reliably predicted the wastage thickness across various fuel pins and sample cross-sections. Furthermore, the available cladding wastage data from HT9/U-10Zr fuel system demonstrated a strong temperature dependency. However, the dataset remains small, and ongoing research activities are essential to further understand the FCCI phenomenon and develop a reliable FCCI model for enhanced fuel performance simulation under various conditions.

36 - MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

VERAOneway Coupling for Transients

The VERAOneWay (VOW) package provides one-way coupling between two Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) codes: the Virtual Environment for Reactor Applications (VERA) and BISON. This package was initially designed and tested on multicycle pressurized water reactor (PWR) problems. Recent work has improved VOW and extended its capability to other problems. VOW was enhanced to simulate fuel performance for reactor transients. Additional fuel types and geometries were added to cover boiling water reactor (BWR) fuels. The BISON version and templates were updated to the most recent version and best practices. The code was refactored to make it easier to add features and to extend VOW to other codes.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Modeling Internal Material Melting

The purpose of the SEED LDRD was to create new functionality to model internal material melting and solidification inside the state-of-the-art nuclear fuel performance simulation code BISON.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Metallic fuel cladding degradation model development and evaluation for BISON

Fuel cladding chemical interaction (FCCI) and coolant cladding chemical interaction (CCCI), both consume stainless-steel cladding in sodium-cooled fast reactors (SFRs), and effectively degrade cladding mechanical performance through thickness reduction. Therefore, FCCI/CCCI and corresponding cladding degradation models are essential for advanced fuel performance codes, such as BISON, to reliably predict cladding behavior in SFRs. Here, we report the development and implementation efforts for BISON's FCCI/CCCI correlations and cladding degradation models based on U.S. legacy metallic fuel data. The models were evaluated using Integral Fast Reactor (IFR) program X447/A experiment data supported by the ongoing integration project enabling coordinated application of BISON and EBR-II fuel irradiation and physics database (FIPD). Furthermore, the implemented models were demonstrated to improve BISON's capabilities of predicting cladding damage and degradation behavior that is more consistent with post-irradiation examination observations. Additionally, some limitations of current BISON modules are identified, which are to be overcome through the BISON-FIPD integration efforts.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

BISON-FIPD integration enhanced low-burnup SFR metallic fuel swelling model evaluation framework

Experiments indicated that metallic fuel in sodium-cooled fast reactors (SFRs) rapidly swells radially and axially at low burnup. Despite that, prior studies have been focused on describing high burnup axial fuel elongation. With recent conventional and non-conventional metallic fuel concepts being considered for license applications, understanding multidimensional fuel swelling at a wide range of burnup levels is important to fuel analysis and qualification activities. Here, we report the development and demonstration efforts of a low-burnup SFR metallic fuel swelling model evaluation framework using the BISON advanced fuel performance code. The framework leverages the Integral Fast Reactor (IFR) program X423 experiment data through the ongoing integration project to enable standardized and automated use of legacy metallic fuel irradiation data maintained in the SFR fuel irradiation and physics database (FIPD) for BISON metallic fuel model verification and validation. In conclusion, the performance of the framework was demonstrated using the two representative metallic fuel swelling model sets implemented in BISON, with a series of insights about future advanced swelling model development.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

An approach to grid-to-rod fretting wear modeling using dynamic mortar contact

This article presents the development of a grid-to-rod fretting (GTRF) modeling methodology that utilizes dynamic mortar contact. Here, we leverage a recently developed computational framework for modeling thermomechanical contact in dynamic simulations from the nuclear fuel performance code Bison. Usage of mortar contact ensures a smooth distribution of normal and frictional contact forces, displacements, and velocities on the contact interface, thus facilitating an accurate computation of wear. The integration within an advanced nuclear fuel performance code enables analysis of complex interactions between the fuel, cladding, and spacer grid. Such interactions include swelling, creep, fuel fragmentation, burnup, plenum pressure, and fission gas release. Our methodology is demonstrated via the modeling of two spacer grid geometries and the influence of fuel-cladding mechanical contact on the generation of fretting wear.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Mechanistic Multiscale Uncertainty Propagation in Support of Accelerated Fuel Qualification

Taking a nuclear fuel concept through the research, development, and qualification stages has historically taken on the order of 20 to 25 years because of extensive irradiation tests required for a variety of conditions. The concept of accelerated fuel qualification (AFQ) has been proposed to increase the innovation pace for nuclear fuels. The goal of AFQ is not to replace the traditional qualification approach but rather to reduce the total number of experiments required to ensure approval from the regulatory authority. Of the many AFQ approaches being explored, advanced modeling—and, in particular, mechanistic modeling—is in a uniquely cross-cutting position to reduce the number of required integral tests through the inclusion of separate-effects testing, while helping to extrapolate reactor performance during rare events. We make the case that propagation of uncertainty through various computational length scales helps contextualize mechanistic modeling. We will utilize UO 2 fission gas diffusion predictions from the atomistically informed cluster dynamics code Centipede to inform fuel performance rodlet simulations using the BISON finite element code as the metric for showing how multiscale mechanistic uncertainty quantification can help reduce uncertainty in fuel performance. In conclusion, by quantifying uncertainty and its reduction through multiscale modeling, the qualification process may be accelerated through the reduction of costly irradiation experiments.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Fuel performance uncertainty quantification and sensitivity analysis in the presence of epistemic and aleatoric sources of uncertainties

Fuel performance modeling and simulation includes many uncertain parameters from models to boundary conditions, manufacturing parameters and material properties. These parameters exhibit large uncertainties and can have an epistemic or aleatoric nature, something that renders fuel performance code-to-code and code-to-measurements comparisons for complex phenomena such as the pellet cladding mechanical interaction (PCMI) very challenging. Additionally, PCMI and other complex phenomena found in fuel performance modeling and simulation induce strong discontinuities and non-linearities that can render difficult to extract meaningful conclusions form uncertainty quantification (UQ) and sensitivity analysis (SA) studies. In this work, we develop and apply a consistent treatment of epistemic and aleatoric uncertainties for both UQ and SA in fuel performance calculations and use historical benchmark-quality measurement data to demonstrate it. More specifically, the developed methodology is applied to the OECD/NEA Multi-physics Pellet Cladding Mechanical Interaction Validation benchmark. A cold ramp test leading to PCMI is modeled. Two measured quantities of interest are considered: the cladding axial elongation during the irradiations and the cladding outer diameter after the cold ramp. The fuel performance code used to perform the simulation is FAST. The developed methodology involves various steps including a Morris screening to decrease the number of uncertain inputs, a nested loop approach for propagating the epistemic and aleatoric sources of uncertainties, and a global SA using Sobol indices. The obtained results indicate that the fuel and cladding thermal conductivities as well as the cladding outer diameter uncertainties are the three inputs having the largest impact on the measured quantities. More importantly, it was found that the epistemic uncertainties can have a significant impact on the measured quantities and can affect the outcome of the global sensitivity analysis.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Anisotropic temperature-dependent elastic constants and thermal conductivities of TRISO particle coatings

Tristructural isotropic (TRISO) particles show great promise as a candidate fuel for use in several next-generation high-temperature nuclear reactor designs due to their structural integrity and fuel performance at high temperatures and burnups. Computational codes exist that can simulate TRISO fuel performance characteristics and failure probabilities under extreme conditions which require knowledge of the TRISO coatings’ thermophysical properties. The thermophysical descriptions of the TRISO particle's layers (i.e., buffer, pyrolytic carbon, and silicon carbide) currently used in fuel performance codes, however, assume that many of these properties are constant with respect to temperature or texture. In this paper, we obtain the full elastic stiffness tensors of the carbon and silicon carbide layers, which have transversely isotropic symmetry. Additionally, the calculated elastic properties of each of the coating layers are in remarkable agreement with the current models at room temperature and correct orientations. Additionally, the textured 3C-SiC layer was found to exhibit novel auxetic behavior above 1500 °C. The anisotropic temperature-dependent thermal conductivities of the carbon layers were calculated using acoustical Grüneisen-Debye theory which are in excellent agreement with current models at room temperature and correct orientations. These texture- and temperature-dependent relationships can be incorporated into the thermophysical description of TRISO particles in order to more accurately model fuel performance and failure probabilities under extreme conditions in forthcoming high-fidelity computational simulations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Aviation Fuel Characterization at Operationally Relevant Conditions

To accelerate approval and potentially expand the allowable property range for aviation fuels, we are using high performance computing simulations to reveal fuel property effects on aviation combustor performance. These simulations are supported by fuel property measurements over temperatures and pressures that the fuel experiences in an aircraft engine and by validated chemical kinetics models for SAF combustion. Here we report density, viscosity, and surface tension results for conventional jet fuel and multiple synthetic fuels from -30 degrees Celsius to 200 degrees Celsius (-40 degrees Celsius for viscosity) and 1 atm to 70 atm including an assessment of method repeatability. Properties of surrogate mixtures are also investigated. Distillation, ICN, LHV, flashpoint, and Cp are also reported, and data are being used to develop models to predict fuel properties from composition (GCxGC).

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Initial demonstration of automated fuel performance modeling with 1977 EBR-II metallic fuel pins using BISON code with FIPD and IMIS databases

Using the BISON fuel performance code, simulations were conducted using an automated process to read initial and operating conditions from the Fuels Irradiation and Physics Database (FIPD) and Integral Fast Reactor materials information system (IMIS) database, which contains metallic fuel data from the Experimental Breeder Reactor-II (EBR-II). This work demonstrates use of an integrated framework to access the vast majority of EBR-II experimental fuel pin data to support rapid development of fuel performance models for next-generation metallic fuel systems. With this capability, validation for fuel qualification can be performed rapidly. Between IMIS and FIPD, there is enough information to conduct 1977 unique EBR-II metallic fuel pin histories from 24 different experiments, at varying levels of detail between the two databases. Each of these histories includes a high-resolution power history, flux history, coolant channel flow rates, and coolant channel temperatures. Fission gas release (FGR), cumulative damage fraction (CDF), fuel axial swelling, cladding profilometry, and burnup were all simulated in BISON. The results were compared to post-irradiation examination (PIE) results for the initial demonstration of automated BISON modeling. BISON simulations conducted with IMIS and FIPD were in rough agreement with PIE measurements and calculations. Cladding profilometry, FGR, and fuel axial swelling were found to be in rough agreement with PIE measurements, depending on the physics used within the BISON input files. Here, the mechanical contact solver chosen was found to significantly impact axial fuel swelling and cladding strain predictions. CDF values were assessed to see whether pin failure may have been predicted (CDF ≥ 1). This work suggests that continued development of an automated tool for BISON should focus on inclusion of the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) experimental data for a larger database for metallic fuel, improved physical models to better capture fuel performance, such as fuel-cladding interactions, and a more detailed comparison with available PIE data to further the BISON model development.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Fuel Performance Analysis of Fast Flux Test Facility MFF-3 and -5 Fuel Pins Using BISON with Post Irradiation Examination Data

Using the BISON fuel-performance code, simulations were conducted of an automated process to read initial and operating conditions from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) database and reports, which contain metallic-fuel data from the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) MFF Experiments. This work builds on previous modeling efforts involving 1977 EBR-II metallic fuel pins from experiments. Coupling the FFTF PNNL reports to BISON allowed for all 338 pins from MFF-3 and MFF-5 campaigns to be simulated. Each BISON simulation contains unique power and flux histories, axial power and flux profiles, and coolant-channel flow rates. Fission-gas release (FGR), fuel axial swelling, cladding profilometry, and burnup were all simulated in BISON and compared to available post-irradiation examination (PIE) data. Cladding profilometry, FGR, and fuel axial swelling simulation results for full-length MFF metallic pins were found to be in agreement with PIE measurements using FFTF physics and models used previously for EBR-II simulations. The main two peaks observed within the cladding profilometry were able to be simulated, with fuel-cladding mechanical interaction (FCMI), fuel-cladding chemical interaction (FCCI), and thermal and irradiation-induced creep being the cause. A U-Pu-Zr hot-pressing model was included in this work to allow pore collapse within the fuel matrix. This allowed better agreement between BISON-simulated cladding profilometry and PIE measurements for the peak caused by FCMI. This work shows that metallic fuel models used to accurately represent fuel performance for smaller EBR-II pins may be used for full-length metallic fuel, such as FFTF MFF assemblies and the Versatile Test Reactor (VTR). As new material models and PIE measurements become available, FFTF MFF assessment cases will be reassessed to further BISON model development.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Coupled Decay Heat and Thermal Hydraulic Capability for Loss-of-Coolant Accident Simulations

As the nuclear energy industry considers ways to achieve improved economics in the current fleet of light-water reactors (LWRs), one possible approach is to operate each cycle for longer durations. This causes a greater portion of the fuel to be burned and reduces the frequency of outages, which ultimately reduces the cost to operate the reactor. However, this also leads to higher burnup fuels than has traditionally been allowed in these reactors. Thus, there are concerns about integrity of high-burnup (HBu) fuel, especially during accident conditions such as loss-of-coolant accidents (LOCAs), as shown by Capps et al.. To investigate these concerns, advanced modeling and simulation capabilities are being leveraged to determine the susceptibility of HBu fuel to fuel fragmentation, relocation, and dispersion (FFRD). Improvements have previously been made to fuel performance capabilities to more accurately model these phenomena; multiphysics simulations have also been conducted to determine the power and burnup histories of the HBu fuel, which are needed as inputs for the fuel performance calculations. Most recently, new statistical approaches have been developed to identify a subset of fuel rods that have greater FFRD susceptibility, reducing the total number of fuel performance simulations required. Prior LOCA simulations have relied on the TRACE systems code, which can model the core and primary loop during accident conditions. TRACE includes many models for various aspects of the primary loop, but two sets of models are important for this report. First, TRACE uses a lumped-fuel approach for modeling the core. This approximates the ~50,000 fuel rods in the core with a much smaller number of rods. The rods can be lumped in various ways as determined by the user. For example, one lumped rod may be used to represent all rods in an assembly, sometimes with an additional rod representing the hottest fuel rod. However, due to runtime constraints and complexity of modeling, a more common approach is to group several assemblies or larger regions of the core into single lumped rods. These lumping schemes apply not only to fuel rods but to flow channels as well. Second, TRACE has several different models for treating decay heat, ranging from pregenerated decay heat curves based on an ANSI/ANS-5.1 standard (hereinafter abbreviated simply as ANSI) to explicit time-dependent heat inputs from the user. None of these models account for differences in isotopics between different rods, which is an approximation the work in this report seeks to eliminate. This report focuses on the implementation of coupled decay heat capabilities in the Virtual Environment for Reactor Applications (VERA) code suite to address a gap identified in previous LOCA simulations. This constitutes an improvement for both the lumped-fuel and decay heat models in TRACE. VERA has been developed to perform high-fidelity, whole-core multiphysics simulations for LWRs. Previously, during the Consortium for Advanced Simulation of LWRs (CASL) program, the emphasis was on providing accurate steady-state analysis—with a secondary focus on reactivity insertion accident (RIA) analysis—to address operational challenges in the nuclear energy industry. Under the Department of Energy (DOE) Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) program, these capabilities are being extended to a broader range of transient analyses with the goal of quantifying the risk of fuel failures such as FFRD. To properly model such conditions with VERA, decay heat calculations have been integrated with the multiphysics to enable rod-by-rod thermal hydraulic (TH) conditions to be driven by the decay heat in long-running accidents such as LOCAs.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗