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A plasma-based pressure pulse generator for simulating pellet–cladding mechanical interaction during reactivity-initiated accident.
- Source :
- Review of Scientific Instruments; Aug2023, Vol. 94 Issue 8, p1-7, 7p
- Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- This paper describes the characteristics of a plasma-based pressure pulse generator and its potential use as a simulator for studying pellet–cladding mechanical interaction (PCMI) during reactivity-initiated accidents (RIAs). In this device, a transient pressure pulse is generated by rapid heating and expansion of hot, dense plasma inside a nuclear fuel cladding. Thus, the parameters of a pressure pulse, such as peak pressure and pressure rise-rate, can be controlled by modifying the electrical parameters of a pulse discharge circuit. The pulse discharge circuit utilizes a capacitor bank comprising several energy storage capacitors connected in parallel and a high-power solid-state switch. A pressure loading system is attached as a load to the pulse discharge circuit. The power and energy delivered to the load are calculated by measuring the voltage and current waveforms at one end of the loading system. A piezoelectric sensor is connected at the other end of the loading system to simultaneously measure the pressure pulse inside the cladding tube. Preliminary experiments are carried out with a stainless-steel tube to characterize the performance of the device as well as with a pre-hydrided ZIRLO<superscript>™</superscript> cladding tube to demonstrate the potential of the device as a simulator for studying the failure characteristics of the cladding as a result of an RIA. The high pressurization rate of the device is expected to offer unique advantages for studying the PCMI mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00346748
- Volume :
- 94
- Issue :
- 8
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Review of Scientific Instruments
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 171343462
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0140706