Transformation kinetics of alloys under non-isothermal conditions

The overall solid-to-solid phase transformation kinetics under non-isothermal conditions has been modeled by means of a differential equation method. The method requires provisions for expressions of the fraction of the transformed phase in equilibrium condition and the relaxation time for transition as functions of temperature. The thermal history is an input to the model. We have used the method to calculate the time/temperature variation of the volume fraction of the favored phase in the alpha-to-beta transition in a zirconium alloy under heating and cooling, in agreement with experimental results. We also present a formulation that accounts for both additive and non-additive phase transformation processes. Moreover, a method based on the concept of path integral, which considers all the possible paths in thermal histories to reach the final state, is suggested.Comment: 16 pages, 7 figures. To appear in Modelling Simul. Mater. Sci. En

Benefits of dry comminution of biomass pellets in a knife mill

The potential benefits of dry comminution in a knife mill for a diverse range of biomass 6 pellets are explored. The impact of dry comminution on energy consumption, particle size and shape, 7 is examined as well as the link between milling and mechanical durability. Biomass pellet comminution 8 energy was significantly lower (19.3-32.5 kW h t-1 [fresh] and 17.8-23.2 kW h t-1 [dry]) than values 9 reported in literature for non-densified biomass in similar knife mills. The impact of drying was found 10 to vary by feedstock. Dry grinding reduced milling energy by 38% for mixed wood pellets, but only 2% 11 for steam exploded pellets. Particle size and shape, particle distribution dispersion, and distribution 12 shape parameters changes between fresh and dry milling were also material dependent. Von Rittinger 13 analysis showed that to maximise mill throughput, pellets should be composed of particles which can 14 pass through the screen and thus have a neutral size change. A strong correlation was found between 15 pellet durability and energy consumption for fresh biomass pellets. Dry grinding has the potential to 16 significantly reduce energy consumption without compromising the product particle size, as well as 17 enhancing product quality and optimising biomass pellet comminution and combustion

Multi-field modelling of hydride forming metals Part II : application to fracture

In Part I of the present article, we formulated a continuum-based computational model for stress- and temperature-directed diffusion of hydrogen in metals that form brittle binary hydrides, such as Zr and Ti alloys. Among the space–time dependent parameters calculated by the model are the volume fraction and the mean orientation of hydride precipitates. These parameters are of importance for quantifying the embrittlement of hydrided materials. In this second part of the work, we use measured data for the strength and toughness of hydrided Zr alloys to correlate the local fracture properties of the two-phase (metal + hydride) material to the aforementioned parameters. The local fracture properties are used as space–time dependent input to a cohesive zone type submodel for fracture, which is fully integrated with the hydrogen transport model from Part I. The complete model is validated against fracture tests on hydrogen-charged Zr–2.5%Nb, a material used in nuclear reactor pressure tubes. More precisely, we study local embrittlement and crack initiation at a blunt and moderately stressed notch, resulting from gradual accumulation of hydrides at the notch during temperature cycling. We also simulate tests on crack initiation and growth by delayed hydride cracking, a subcritical crack growth mechanism with a complex temperature dependence. From the results of the simulations, we conclude that the model reproduces many observed features related to initiation and propagation of hydride induced cracks in the Zr–2.5%Nb material. In particular, it has the capacity to reproduce effects of the material’s temperature history on the fracture behaviour, which is important for many practical applications

Modelling of pellet-cladding interaction induced failure of light water reactor nuclear fuel rods

Godkänd; 1998; 20070404 (ysko

Modelling of fine fragmentation and fission gas release of UO

In reactor accidents that involve rapid overheating of oxide fuel, overpressurization of gas-filled bubbles and pores may lead to rupture of these cavities, fine fragmentation of the fuel material, and burst-type release of the cavity gas. Analytical rupture criteria for various types of cavities exist, but application of these criteria requires that microstructural characteristics of the fuel, such as cavity size, shape and number density, are known together with the gas content of the cavities. In this paper, we integrate rupture criteria for two kinds of cavities with models that calculate the aforementioned parameters in UO2 LWR fuel for a given operating history. The models are intended for implementation in engineering type computer programs for thermal-mechanical analyses of LWR fuel rods. Here, they have been implemented in the FRAPCON and FRAPTRAN programs and validated against experiments that simulate LOCA and RIA conditions. The capabilities and shortcomings of the proposed models are discussed in light of selected results from this validation. Calculated results suggest that the extent of fuel fragmentation and transient fission gas release depends strongly on the pre-accident fuel microstructure and fission gas distribution, but also on rapid changes in the external pressure exerted on the fuel pellets during the accident