Continuing Development of a Fuel Performance Model for TH-Based Ceramic Fuel

Abstract

A finite element analysis based fuel performance model for Th-based ceramic fuel is being developed. The development of a (Th,Pu)O₂ model is novel, and will be capable of providing estimates of fission gas release and sheath/clad strains. Once this model is complete, it will be used to perform a design analysis for the conceptual fuel for the Canadian SCWR pellets and cladding.Results obtained for (Th,U)O₂ compared with Post Irradiation Examination(PIE) data from the DME-221 irradiation test are encouraging. The current state of the model, as well as modelling results compared to data from a (Th,Pu)O₂ fuel irradiation experiment, will be presented.