Loading...
Two- and three-dimensional thermal analyses of uranium/molybdenum dispersion fuel microstructures
Coulson, Brianna
Coulson, Brianna
Citations
Altmetric:
Advisor
Editor
Date
Date Issued
2013
Date Submitted
Collections
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Embargo Expires
Abstract
This thesis presents the results of two- and three- dimensional microstructure-based finite element thermal analyses for U-Mo dispersion fuels, considering particle size distribution, the particles' spatial distribution in the matrix, and the formation of a low-thermal conductivity interaction layer around the particles. A correction factor is needed to adjust two- dimensional microstructural analysis results to yield accurate three- dimensional predictions. Existing correction factors provide reasonably good results when applied to problems involving the transport of heat across the microstructure of dispersion fuels; however, the present results demonstrate that these correction factors can result in significant biases when heat is generated within the microstructure. A new correction factor specific to heat-generating U-Mo dispersion fuel microstructures containing an interaction layer will allow for two- dimensional analyses to provide meaningful insights into the three- dimensional performance of these materials. The present research develops a method for the creation of correction factors for heat generating microstructures.
Associated Publications
Rights
Copyright of the original work is retained by the author.