Upgrade of FROBA code and its application in thermal-mechanical analysis of space reactor fuel

Abstract Since fuel elements will be exposed to high temperature and strong irradiation for a long time, the safety of space reactor is challenged not only when an accident happens but also during the normal operation. With the full consideration of plastic deformation and high-temperature creep, a new mechanical model for fuel elements in space reactor was developed. By calculation result comparison of the new model and ABAQUS, the correctness and reliability of the new model was validated. This model was implemented in FROBA code to simulate the thermal-mechanical performance of a space reactor fuel during the long-term normal operation. The result indicated that the fuel element was safe enough during the most time of normal operation, but it experienced some periods with over high fuel temperature or low thermoelectric conversion efficiency. In addition, it was found that high temperature creep of the emitter can release the pellet-emitter contact pressure and protect the emitter from mechanical failure when power remained unchanged or changed slightly. However, the stress of emitter might exceed its strength limit during the power ramp.