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Improvement of Computer Codes Used for Fuel Behaviour Simulation FUMEX-III
Closed for proposals
Project Type
Project Code
T12022CRP
1489Approved Date
Status
Start Date
Expected End Date
Completed Date
30 November 2012Description
Participants will test and develop their fuel modelling codes against data and cases provided by the IAEA and OECD/NEA. Investigations will focus on high burnup and transient analysis, and include dimensional change modelling.
Objectives
The major objective of this CRP is to improve the predictive capabilities of codes used in fuel behaviour modelling for extended burnup and under transient conditions. Complementing the previous CRPs on this subject (FUMEX, 1993–1996 and FUMEX-II, 2002–2006), its focus is on the topics of fission gas release, pellet to cladding interaction and dimensional changes at extended burnups of above 60 MW·d/kgU for LWRs and up to 20 MW·d/kgU for PHWRs. In addition, the CRP addressed the performance of codes used for transient analysis such as RIA and LOCA at extended burnup.
Specific objectives
Calculate for selected cases the following characteristics: fuel temperature, fuel swelling, fission gas release, cladding dimensional changes.
Compare calculated and experimental results and make conclusion on code calculating capabilities;
Learn more about multinational codes submitted by the IAEA to interested Member States in the framework of FUMEX CRPs (e.g. EU codes TRANSURANUS or TRANSURANUS-VVER).
Select well instrumented and recorded experiments in test and power reactors with pre-defined parameters (burnup, steady-state or power ramp/accident conditions, fuel type (standard, MOX, U-Gd) and some others.
Impact
Participants of the CRP received an access to code development activities in the IAEA Member States with significant experience in the area, e.g. China, France/Germany, Japan, Korea, Russian Federation, and USA. Also they received an access to the joint NEA-IAEA IFPE database, and got practical experience with the TRANSURANIUS code of EU. Participants evaluated predictive capabilities of their and multinational codes with regard to present operation parameters in steady-state, transient and some accident conditions. Participation in this CRP allowed participants to understand directions for further improvements of their codes.
Relevance
Fuel performance modelling (with results of supporting experiments and respective codes verified by these experiments) is an obligatory part of the package required from fuel vendor to obtain permit of safety authorities on commercial fuel loading into nuclear power plant. FUMEX CRP is a joint effort of major fuel developing/operating countries under the IAEA auspices and with assistance of fuel data providers, including some participating countries, Halden Reactor Project and joint NEA-IAEA IFPE Database. This CRP FUMEX-III was strongly recommended and supported by the IAEA TWG on Fuel Performance and Technology as a continuation of the FUMEX CPR series (FUMEX and FUMEX-II).