simulation of thermal conductivity and heat transfer of cermet fuel using Fluent software

Optimal use of nuclear fuel inside the core of the reactor, due to lack of natural uranium resources, production costs and processing of uranium used, is always one of the most important issues in fuel management. In order to maximize the use of reactor fuel, fuel consumption must be increased. In addition, the density power obtained from a reactor depends on the amount of heat transfer that is achieved without damaging the structural materials of the reactor or the fuel rods. Fuel design companies are always looking for a solution that can increase power density.One way to achieve this is to change the chemical state of the fuel, or to increase the thermal conductivity of the fuel rods. To achieve this goal, instead of using the usual uo2 fuel, uranium dioxide dispersed ceramic fuels with other elements such as zirconium and iron can be used(cermet). In the present study, using Fluent software, simulation of different dispersed fuel modes such as uo2-zr, uo2-Fe, has been done. This shows that the use of cermet fuel has a significant effect on increasing the thermal conductivity of reactor fuel. The thermal power density of the current generation reactors increases significantly, in addition, with less leakage of fission fragments, the burn up of reactor also increases.