Effects of cooling time on a closed LWR fuel cycle

In this study, the effects of cooling time prior to reprocessing spent LWR fuel has on the reactor physics characteristics of a PWR fully loaded with homogeneously mixed U-Pu or U-TRU oxide (MOX) fuel is examined. A reactor physics analysis was completed using the CASM04e code. A void reactivity feedback coefficient analysis was also completed for an infinite lattice of fresh fuel assemblies. Some useful conclusions can be made regarding the effect that cooling time prior to reprocessing spent LWR fuel has on a closed homogeneous MOX fuel cycle. The computational analysis shows that it is more neutronically efficient to reprocess cooled spent fuel into homogeneous MOX fuel rods earlier rather than later as the fissile fuel content decreases with time. Also, the number of spent fuel rods needed to fabricate one MOX fuel rod increases as cooling time increases. In the case of TRU MOX fuel, with time, there is an economic tradeoff between fuel handling difficulty and higher throughput of fuel to be reprocessed. The void coefficient analysis shows that the void coefficient becomes progressively more restrictive on fuel Pu content with increasing spent fuel cooling time before reprocessing.

Determinação por ultrassom de constantes elásticas de pastilhas de alumina utilizadas em varetas combustíveis de reatores nucleares.

Pastilhas de dióxido de urânio (UO2) são empregadas como combustível nos reatores nucleares de potência, onde as condições operacionais introduzem elevados gradientes térmicos nas pastilhas. Potências elevadas propiciam a fusão da parte central das pastilhas. O inchamento das pastilhas de dióxido de urânio (UO2), decorrente dos produtos de fissão, pode causar o trincamento do material, em função disso, o estudo do seu comportamento mecânico é importante. Esse trabalho avaliou a aplicação de método ultrassônico na obtenção de constantes elásticas. Em função das dificuldades no manuseio do material nuclear, optou-se por um estudo comparativo em pastilhas de alumina (Al2O3). Foram fabricados e usados dois conjuntos de 10 pastilhas de Al2O3 com densidades de 92% e 96%. Foi desenvolvida técnica ultrassônica por transmissão obtendo medidas do tempo de percurso de ondas ultrassônicas, longitudinais e transversais, usadas para a determinação das constantes elásticas do material. Equações relacionando a velocidade da onda ultrassônica ao módulo de elasticidade, módulo de cisalhamento e coeficiente de Poisson, permitiram obter essas constantes elásticas, que apresentaram excelente concordância com a literatura disponível para o Al2O3.

Estudo de modelos para o comportamento a altas queimas de varetas combustíveis de reatores a água leve pressurizada

Este trabalho tem como objetivo estudar as modificações introduzidas, ao longo de sucessivas versões, nos modelos empíricos do programa computacional FRAPCON utilizado para a simulação do comportamento sob irradiação de varetas combustíveis de Reatores a Água Leve Pressurizada (Pressurized Water Reactor - PWR) em regime de estado estacionário e sob condições de alta queima. No estudo, foram analisados os modelos empíricos utilizados pelo FRAPCON e que são apresentados em sua documentação oficial. Um estudo bibliográfico foi conduzido sobre os efeitos da alta queima em combustíveis nucleares visando melhorar o entendimento dos modelos utilizados pelo FRAPCON nestas condições. Foram feitas simulações do comportamento sob irradiação de uma vareta combustível típica de um reator PWR utilizando as versões 3.3, 3.4 e 3.5 do FRAPCON. Os resultados apresentados pelas diferentes versões do programa foram comparados entre si de forma a verificar as consequências das mudanças de modelo nos parâmetros de saída do programa. Foi possível observar que as modificações introduzidas trouxeram diferenças significativas nos resultados de parâmetros térmicos e mecânicos da vareta combustível, principalmente quando se evoluiu da versão FRAPCON-3.3 para a versão FRAPCON-3.5. Nessa ultima versão, obteve-se menores temperaturas na vareta combustível, menores tensões e deformações no revestimento, menor espessura da camada de oxido formada no revestimento a altas queimas na vareta combustível.

Isostatic pressing of UO₂ in high temperature metals /

The hot isostatic pressing process has been applied at temperatures up to 1500°C for the fabrication of high temperature fuel rods composed of UO₂ clad in columbium and UO₂ in iron-aluminum type alloy. The fused UO₂ powder apparently becomes quite plastic at temperatures above 1200°C and can be isostatically compacted at 1500°C to 98% of its theoretical density. Columbian tubes particularly lend themselves to the fabrication of fuel rods by simultaneously compacting and cladding UO₂ powders in the tubes, but the cast iron-aluminum type alloy that was used was unsatisfactory because of its brittleness.

Microanalysis of quenched and self-extinguished aluminium rods burned in oxygen

Promoted ignition tests and quench tests have been conducted and analysed for 3.2 mm aluminum rods in 99.995% oxygen. Tests have been conducted in oxygen pressures varying from 538 kPa to 773 kPa. Samples that self-extinguished or were quenched were selected for further analysis. The microstructure of the selected samples were analysed by electron microscopy, using energy dispersive spectrometry and electron back-scatter techniques, to identify and visualize, respectively, the species present. The grain structures of these samples were etched, viewed and photographed under polarized light by an optical microscope. From the micrographs produced by the post-test analysis, clearly defined boundaries between the oxide and the melted and resolidified metal have been observed. In both the melted and resolidified metal and the oxide layer, significant numbers of gas bubbles, solid inclusions and several diffuse oxide bubbles have been captured during the cooling process. It is concluded that convective movement is occurring within the molten drop and that analysis of quenched samples provides more useful information on the state of the burning droplet than samples allowed to cool slowly to room temperature. Recommendations are made regarding future investigations into aluminum burning, focusing on the transport of reactants through the liquid oxide layer.

Instantaneous RRMI of iron rods in reduced gravity

Standard upward-burning promoted ignition tests (“Standard Test Method for Determining the Combustion Behavior of Metallic Materials in Oxygen-Enriched Atmospheres,” ASTM G4-124 [1] or “Flammability, Odor, Offgassing, and Compatibility Requirements and Test Procedures for Materials in Environments that Support Combustion,” NASA-STD-6001, NASA Test 17 [2]) were performed on cylindrical iron (99.95% pure) rods in various oxygen purities (95.0–99.98%) in reduced gravity onboard NASA JSC's KC-135 to investigate the effect of gravity on the regression rate of the melting interface. Visual analysis of experiments agrees with previous published observations showing distinct motions of the molten mass attached to the solid rod during testing. Using an ultrasonic technique to record the real-time rod length, comparison of the instantaneous regression rate of the melting interface and visual recording shows a non-steady-state regression rate of the melting interface for the duration of a test. Precessional motion is associated with a higher regression rate of the melting interface than for test periods in which the molten mass does not show lateral motion. The transition between the two types of molten mass motion during a test was accompanied by a reduced regression rate of the melting interface, approximately 15–50% of the average regression rate of the melting interface for the entire test.