Foaming of U-Al fuel under simulated reactor accident conditions

摘要

Postirradiation heating tests were conducted on segments of UAl(sub 4)/Al dispersion fuel plates clad with Al to scope the foaming (rapid swelling) behavior of such fuels during beyond-design-basis accident scenarios. Four tests investigated maximum temperature, ramp rate, and duration with a liquid phase as parameters in foam formation and stability. Real-time fission-gas release was also determined during the foaming process. Ramp-rate had the most noticeable effect of foam formation and collapse.