Study on Chemical Interaction of U3Si2Dispersoid and Aluminum Matrix in Plate Fuel Elements and Its Influence on the Mechanical Properties

A first-principles study on the influences of metal species Al, Zr, Mo and Tc on the mechanical properties of U3Si2

A first-principles approach is employed to study the influences of the metal species Al, Zr, Mo and Tc on the mechanical properties of U3Si2. When the Al, Zr, Mo and Tc atoms diffuse into the vacancy sites, they dissolve into the lattice, as confirmed by the solution energies. It is found that the compounds of U3Si2 with low amounts of Al, Zr, Mo, and Tc in the Si vacancies or Al, Zr, and Mo in the U vacancies can behave in the manner of ductility. However, in the cases where Al, Zr, Mo and Tc occupy the interstitial sites, all the compounds are demonstrated to be brittle. Furthermore, the stress-strain relationship for the U3Si1.9375Mo0.0625 system was calculated, which illustrates the enhanced ductility. The current results indicate that the substitution of Si by carefully selected metal atoms can enhance the performance of U3Si2.

Neutronic Analysis on Potential Accident Tolerant Fuel-Cladding Combination U3Si2-FeCrAl

Neutronic performance is investigated for a potential accident tolerant fuel (ATF), which consists of U3Si2fuel and FeCrAl cladding. In comparison with current UO2-Zr system, FeCrAl has a better oxidation resistance but a larger thermal neutron absorption cross section. U3Si2has a higher thermal conductivity and a higher uranium density, which can compensate the reactivity suppressed by FeCrAl. Based on neutronic investigations, a possible U3Si2-FeCrAl fuel-cladding system is taken into consideration. Fundamental properties of the suggested fuel-cladding combination are investigated in a fuel assembly. These properties include moderator and fuel temperature coefficients, control rods worth, radial power distribution (in a fuel rod), and different void reactivity coefficients. The present work proves that the new combination has less reactivity variation during its service lifetime. Although, compared with the current system, it has a little larger deviation on power distribution and a little less negative temperature coefficient and void reactivity coefficient and its control rods worth is less important, variations of these parameters are less important during the service lifetime of fuel. Hence, U3Si2-FeCrAl system is a potential ATF candidate from a neutronic view.