Enhanced diffusion under alpha self-irradiation in spent nuclear fuel: Theoretical approaches
Abstract
Various theoretical approaches have been developed in order to estimate the enhanced diffusion coefficient of fission products under alpha self-irradiation in spent nuclear fuel. These simplified models calculate the effects of alpha particles and recoil atoms on mobility of uranium atoms in UO 2. They lead to a diffusion coefficient which is proportional to the volume alpha activity with a proportionality factor of about 10 -44 (m 5). However, the same models applied for fission lead to a radiation-enhanced diffusion coefficient which is approximately two orders of magnitude lower than values reported in literature for U and Pu. Other models are based on an extrapolation of radiation-enhanced diffusion measured either in reactors or under heavy ion bombardment. These models lead to a proportionality factor between the alpha self-irradiation enhanced diffusion coefficient and the volume alpha activity of 2 × 10 -41 (m 5).
- Publication:
-
Journal of Nuclear Materials
- Pub Date:
- November 2005
- DOI:
- 10.1016/j.jnucmat.2005.04.072
- Bibcode:
- 2005JNuM..346...48F
- Keywords:
-
- 28.41.K;
- 66.30;
- 61.80