NS SAVANNAH FUEL DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. INTERNAL PRESSURE IN NS SAVANNAH CORE 2 FUEL RODS DUE TO FISSION GAS

Internal pressure of fission gases formed during irradiation life of the fuel contributes to stress on the N.S. Savannah Core 2 fuel rods. This study determines the magnitude of the pressure, the location of the segments expected to have the highest values during operation of the Core 2 fuel, and the factors influencing this pressure build-up. Experimentally obtained data was utilized from representative Core 2-type fuel assemblies irradiated in excess of Core 2 design temperature conditions, but at less than an equivalent life time.