Coupled Mass and Heat Transport Models for Nuclear Fuels using Thermodynamic Calculations

Srdjan Simunovic, Jake W. Mcmurray, Theodore M. Besmann, Emily Moore, Markus H. A. Piro

Research output: Book/ReportCommissioned report

Abstract

We have developed a theoretical framework for incorporation of thermodynamic equilibrium calculations into engineering models of nuclear fuel problems based on the finite element method (FEM). The framework is based on linear irreversible thermodynamics and their incorporation into integral equations for balancing energy and mass. For coupled energy and mass transport, thermodynamic calculations are performed at the nodal points of the FEM mesh and are used at the integration points to calculate the driving forces and fluxes for irreversible thermodynamic problems. The consistent coupling of thermodynamic models with isotopic calculations and other nuclear fuel physics models has been described. The approach has been demonstrated on simple unit problems. Implementation in practical nuclear fuel problems will be developed follow-on research.
Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationUnited States
DOIs
StatePublished - 2018

Keywords

  • 11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS

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