Phase-field simulation on fission gas release behavior of large grain UO<sub>2</sub> fuel

Abstract

In order to predict the release behavior of fission gas in large grain UO<sub>2</sub> fuel and provide support for the development of accident tolerant fuel, a phase-field model is used to simulate the release behavior of fission gas in the microstructure of UO<sub>2</sub> polycrystalline in this work. This model adopts a set of coupled Cahn-Hilliard equations and Allen-Cahn equations, using conserved field variables to represent the distribution of fission gas and vacancies, and distinguishing bubble phase from matrix phase by using order parameters. This model focuses on investigating the effects of different grain sizes, temperature conditions, and diffusion coefficients on the release behavior of fission gas, demonstrating the nucleation, growth, and fusion behavior of bubbles. Simulation results are obtained for fuel porosity, bubble coverage on grain boundaries, and average bubble radius at a certain degree of burnup. The results show that temperature and diffusion coefficient have a significant influence on porosity and bubble coverage on grain boundaries. When the diffusion coefficient is high, grain size also has a significant influence on fission gas release behavior. And when the diffusion coefficient is low, the influence of grain size is not significant. In addition, the distribution of fission gas bubbles under high burnup obtained through this model is also in good agreement with experimental result. The model can predict the behavior of fission gas release in large grain UO<sub>2</sub> fuel.