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IAEA project aims to develop polymer irradiation model
The International Atomic Energy Agency has launched a new coordinated research project (CRP) aimed at creating a database of polymer-radiation interactions in the next five years with the long-term goal of using the database to enable machine learning–based predictive models.
Radiation-induced modifications are widely applicable across a range of fields including healthcare, agriculture, and environmental applications, and exposure to radiation is a major factor when considering materials used at nuclear power plants.
Jing Wang, Ronald G. Ballinger, Heather J. Maclean
Nuclear Technology | Volume 148 | Number 1 | October 2004 | Pages 68-96
Technical Paper | Materials for Nuclear Systems | doi.org/10.13182/NT04-A3549
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
An integrated fuel performance model for coated particle fuel has been developed to comprehensively study the behavior of TRISO-coated fuel. Modeling of both pebble-bed and prismatic configurations is possible. In the case of the pebble-bed concept, refueling of pebbles is simulated to account for the nonuniform environment in the reactor core and history-dependent particle behavior. Monte Carlo sampling of particles is employed in fuel failure prediction to capture the statistical features of dimensions; material properties; and, in the case of the pebble-bed concept, the statistical nature of the refueling process. An advanced fuel failure model has been developed based on a probabilistic fracture mechanics approach. The mechanical analysis includes effects of anisotropic irradiation-induced dimensional changes and isotropic irradiation-induced creep, and the fluence-dependent Poisson ratio in irradiation creep. The stress analysis is benchmarked against the calculations of Japanese High Temperature Test Reactor (HTTR) first-loading fuel and finite element result on one case performed by the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory. The failure model predictions are compared with NPR1, NPR2, and NPR1A capsule irradiation data. The model results compare very favorably with postirradiation examination results both in terms of failure probability, number of failed particles, and Kr85m R/B evolution during irradiation.