Effect of gap design pressure on the LWR fuel rods lifetime

Abstract

The fuel burn-up rate has been raised in recent years to improve the efficiency of nuclear LWRs (light water reactors). Therefore, surveying and estimating changes in fuel properties and structural materials during radiation exposure is of paramount importance. In the present study, the researchers focused on analyzing the role of LWR fuel rod initial gap pressure (initial gas pressure when a fuel rod is fabricated) on the rod’s thermal and mechanical performance. FRAPCON-4.0 steady-state fuel performance code was used to simulate the effect of initial gap pressure on the behavior of a specific BWR-type fuel rod that was irradiated under the HALDEN research program. This fuel rod is similar to commercial BWR fuel rods in all respects, except that the research reactors have a height limit. The important fuel design criteria, such as the centerline temperature, effective stresses, total released fission gas to the fuel rod’s void volumes, and the cladding strains, were included in the analysis. According to the present study, a potential initial gap pressure range could be suggested to increase fuel rods’ lifetime by improving the safety criteria margins, especially fuel centerline temperature and the released amount of gaseous fission products. As we know, lower fuel temperature leads to having a reactor with a higher power density and, consequently, a maximum fuel burn-up rate, which can affect the economy and safety of nuclear power plants.