Izvestiya vuzov. Yadernaya Energetika

The peer-reviewed scientific and technology journal. ISSN: 0204-3327

Simulation of High-Temperature Zirconium Alloy Oxidation in a Nitrogen, Oxygen and Steam Mixture

3/28/2023 2023 - #01 Modelling processes at nuclear facilities

Dolgodvorov A.P.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26583/npe.2023.1.12

UDC: 621.039.546

The paper presents a correlation model of high-temperature zirconium alloy oxidation in a mixture of gases (steam, nitrogen and oxygen) for the weight gain calculation of the oxidized sample. The essence of the model consists in using the linear interpolation between the kinetic constants of oxidation in pure gases to describe the oxidation kinetics in gas mixtures. The approach allows one to describe the oxygen weight gain with different contents of gases in steam, nitrogen and oxygen mixtures. The model was validated against experimental data on oxidation in an air-steam mixture in a proportion of 50% to 50% of the volume. For temperatures of 1200°C and 1400°C, prior to the 625th second, the deviation between the experimental data and the simulation results is not more than 18%; for 800°C, prior to the 14th hour, the deviation between the experimental data and the simulation results is not more than 40%. Besides the air-steam mixture, the paper presents the results of the weight gain calculation using the proposed model for oxidation in an oxygen-nitrogen mixture and in a steam-oxygen mixture at 800°C and 1400°C.

References

  1. Kim D., Yook H., Keum K., Lee Y. TRANOX: Model for Non-isothermal Steam Oxidation of Zircaloy Cladding. Journal of Nuclear Materials. 2021, v. 556, 12 p.; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2021.153153 .
  2. Gestin M., Mermoux M., Coindreau O., Duriez C., Pijolat M., Peres V., Favergeon L. Experimental Study of Oxidation in Oxygen, Nitrogen and Steam Mixtures at 850°C of Pre-oxidized Zircaloy-4. Journal of Nuclear Materials. 2019, v.519, pp.302-314; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2019.03.020 .
  3. Steinbruck M., Bottcher M. Air Oxidation of Zircaloy-4, M5 and ZIRLO Cladding Alloys at High Temperatures. Journal of Nuclear Materials. 2011, v. 414, pp. 276-285; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2011.04.012 .
  4. Steinbruck M., da Silva F.O., Grosse M. Oxidation of Zircaloy-4 in Steam-nitrogen Mixtures at 600–1200°C. Journal of Nuclear Materials. 2017, v. 490, pp. 226-237; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2017.04.034 .
  5. Leistikow S., Schanz G. The Oxidation Behavior of Zircaloy-4 in Steam Between 600 and 1600°C. Materials and Corrosion. 1985, v. 36, iss. 3, pp.105-116; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/maco.19850360302 .
  6. Uetsuka H., Hofmann P. Reaction Kinetics of Zircaloy-4 in a 25% O2/75% Ar Gas Mixture Under Isothermal Conditions. Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe Report KfK 3917, May 1985, 45 p. Available at: https://publikationen.bibliothek.kit.edu/270021279 (accessed Oct. 23, 2022).
  7. Stempniewicz M.M. Air Oxidation of Zircaloy, Part 2: New Model for Zry-4 Oxidation. Nuclear Engineering and Design. 2016, v. 301, pp. 412-422; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nucengdes.2016.02.041 .
  8. Steinbruck M. Prototypical Experiments Relating to Air Oxidation of Zircaloy-4 at High Temperatures. Journal of Nuclear Materials. 2009, v. 392, pp. 531-544; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2009.04.018 .
  9. Asmolov V.G., Smirnov V.P., Leshchenko A.Yu., Kuz’min I.V., Pokrovskij A.S., Kobyljanskij G.P., Har’kov D.V. Behavior of E125 Alloy Under Hightemperature Oxidation. Izvestiya vuzov. Yadernaya Energetika. 2013, no. 3, pp. 52-61; DOI: https://doi.org/10.26583/npe.2013.3.07 (in Russian).

zirconium alloy oxidation gas mixtures correlation model

Link for citing the article: Dolgodvorov A.P. Simulation of High-Temperature Zirconium Alloy Oxidation in a Nitrogen, Oxygen and Steam Mixture. Izvestiya vuzov. Yadernaya Energetika. 2023, no. 1, pp. 144-152; DOI: https://doi.org/10.26583/npe.2023.1.12 (in Russian).