Development of mechanical property analysis program for space thermionic fuel element

Yang Wenyu; Chai Xiang; Zhu Enping; Liu Xiaojing

doi:10.11884/HPLPB202436.230388

Volume 36 Issue 3

Feb. 2024

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Yang Wenyu, Chai Xiang, Zhu Enping, et al. Development of mechanical property analysis program for space thermionic fuel element[J]. High Power Laser and Particle Beams, 2024, 36: 036001. doi: 10.11884/HPLPB202436.230388

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Yang Wenyu, Chai Xiang, Zhu Enping, et al. Development of mechanical property analysis program for space thermionic fuel element[J]. High Power Laser and Particle Beams, 2024, 36: 036001. doi: 10.11884/HPLPB202436.230388

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Development of mechanical property analysis program for space thermionic fuel element

doi: 10.11884/HPLPB202436.230388

Yang Wenyu^1
,,
Chai Xiang^{1, 2
,
,},
Zhu Enping¹,
Liu Xiaojing^{1, 2}

1.
College of Smart Energy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
2.
School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China

Received Date: 2023-11-01
Accepted Date: 2024-01-23
Rev Recd Date: 2024-01-23

Available Online: 2024-01-29

Publish Date: 2024-03-15

Abstract

Abstract

To predict the safety performance of fuel elements during operation of a space thermionic reactor, this study developed a mechanical performance analysis program for fuel elements, and conducted high-precision simulation of stress, strain, and geometric deformation for the multi-layer cylindrical TOPAZ-II thermionic fuel element. The program takes into account the irradiation swelling of nuclear fuel under high-temperature radiation environment, and analyzes the mechanical response of the fuel pellet-emitter after contact, thereby quickly and accurately solving the mechanical state of the fuel pellet and emitter, to provide accurate prediction of the performance during operation of the space thermionic reactor. The results indicate that in normal operating conditions, the fuel of a space thermionic reactor undergoes significant swelling effects, which causes deformation that can lead to potential safety hazards such as reduced thermal-electric conversion efficiency and component failure.
- space reactor,
- fuel element,
- irradiation swelling,
- mechanical analysis

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References(16)

References

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