A Calculation Model for Fuel Constituent Redistribution and Temperature Distribution on Metallic U-10Zr Fuel Slug of Liquid Metal Reactors

A Calculation Model for Fuel Constituent Redistribution and Temperature Distribution on Metallic U-10Zr Fuel Slug of Liquid Metal Reactors

Unlike conventional fuel types, fuel constituent redistribution and sodium intrusion into the fuel slug are the unique phenomena of the irradiated metallic fuel. A thermal calculation model on metallic U-10 wt.%Zr fuel rod for LMRs is developed with considerations given to these phenomena. The amount of constituent redistribution is estimated based on the thermotransport process. The temperature profile of fuel slug is predicted by taking into account of Zr redistribution, porosity formation and sodium logging effects. A sample calculation is performed and compared to experimental data in literature. As a result, the predicted redistribution and temperature profile are well agreed with experimental data, assuming that 15 times increment of ex-reactor diffusivity, $Q_{r}$ $^{*}$ is -50 kJ/mole and sodium is infiltrated only outside of the fuel slug. Furthermore, the redistribution effects on fuel integrity and fuel temperature profile are discussed.d.