A model for non-volatile fission product release during reactor accident conditions

An analytical model has been developed to describe the release kinetics of non-volatile fission products (e.g., Mo, Ce, Ru and Ba) from uranium dioxide fuel under severe reactor accident conditions. The present treatment considers the rate-controlling process of release in accordance with diffusional transport in the fuel matrix and fission product vaporization from the fuel surface into the surrounding gas atmosphere. The effect of the oxygen potential in the gas atmosphere on the chemical form and volatility of the fission product is considered. A correlation is also developed to account for the trapping effects of Sb and Te in the Zircaloy cladding. This model has been used to interpret the release behaviour of fission products observed in the CEA experiments conducted in the HEVA/VERCORS facility at high temperature in a hydrogen and steam atmosphere. (author)