Work

Integration and validation of models for thermal-mechanical behaviour of nuclear fuel rods in ATHLET

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This work presents the integration of ATHLET-CD’s thermal mechanical module into the ATHLET system code, enhancing its predictive scope for nuclear safety analyses. ATHLET-CD’s thermal mechanical models have been adopted in ATHLET and further improved by incorporating state-of-the-art methods from fuel performance codes to model cladding elastic deformation, secondary creep-induced plastic strain, ballooning, dynamic internal pressure changes, and potential hydraulic blockage. These enhancements enable detailed simulation of fuel rod behavior even across the spectrum of non-severe scenarios. Validation against the QUENCH L0 experiment, focused on rod ballooning and burst under accident conditions, shows that the integrated ATHLET code matches or outperforms standalone ATHLET CD in predicting cladding surface temperature, internal rod pressure and burst timing, thereby supporting more comprehensive and accurate safety assessments.

Source: Annals of Nuclear Energy

DOI: 10.1016/j.anucene.2025.111915

Authors: V.A. Di Nora, A. Wielenberg, L. Lovasz, P.J. Schöffel

Institution: Gesellschaft für Anlagen und Reaktorsicherheit

Language: English

Topic: Nuclear Engineering Thermal-Hydraulics

Subfield: Aerospace Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,820

Funder: Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz, nukleare Sicherheit und Verbraucherschutz