Work

Neutronic and thermal–hydraulic coupling of FCM and helium annular fuel as accident-tolerant fuel

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The study aims to explore two types of Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF) (helium annular fuel and Fully Ceramic Microencapsulated (FCM) fuel), both with Silicon Carbide (SiC) used as clad material and as a matrix material for TRISO (TRi-structural ISOtropic particle fuel) particles in FCM fuel. The safety characteristics (such as maximum fuel temperatures) were evaluated and compared against reference UO2-Zr for a Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) with neutronic and thermal-hydraulic coupling during normal operation for fresh fuel. The results show that both annular and FCM fuels exhibit reduced maximum temperatures compared to the reference fuel, with a reduction of 479 K (25.3%) for helium annular fuel and 798 K (42.2%) in the FCM fuel. The annular fuel improved by 12.4 MWd/kgU (24.2%) without the cycle length being affected significantly. The FCM fuel significantly reduced in the cycle length while the burnup was more than double the reference. Assembly pin power peaking factors showed no dramatic deviation from the reference. On average the pin models converged after eight iterations with maximum relative power errors per radial node below 2%.

Source: Nuclear Engineering and Design

DOI: 10.1016/j.nucengdes.2024.113522

Authors: Maria Hendrina du Toit, Aubrey Mphofu, Ngoatladi Mashilangako

Institution: North-West University

Language: English

Topic: Nuclear Materials and Properties

Subfield: Materials Chemistry

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,670