Evaluation of influence of fault tolerant fuel structure on thermal conductivity

Abstract

BackgroundThe research focus of accident tolerant enhanced thermal conductivity nuclear fuel mainly lies in the optimization of the preparation process and the improvement of the thermal conductivity whilst the control of microstructure is one of the main means to improve the thermal conductivity. So far the fault tolerant fuel in the world is mainly adding high thermal conductivity particles into the matrix particles to improve the thermal conductivity of fault tolerant fuel.PurposeThis study aims to evaluate the influence of fault-tolerant fuel structure on thermal conductivity.MethodsFirst of all, a three-dimensional finite element model of fault-tolerant fuel was established. Then, based on Ansys Workbench and this model, thermal conductivities of different fault-tolerant fuel were calculated by simulation. Effects of the shape and space of the beryllium oxide particles added to uranium dioxide matrix on thermal conductivity were analyzed.Results & ConclusionsThe variations of thermal conductivity with the shape, spatial orientation and allocation of beryllium oxide particles are obtained. It provides a reference for the selection of fault tolerant fuel.

Keywords

• fault tolerant fuel
• thermal conductivity
• heat flux
• interfacial thermal resistance