Diffusion of helium in 238 PuO 2 fuel was characterized s?. s a function of the heating rate and the fuel microstructure. The samples were thennally ramped in an induction furnace and the helium release rates measured with an automated mass spectro neter. The diffusion constants and activation energies were obtained from the data using a simple diffusion model. The release rates of helium were correlated with the fuel microstructure by metaJlographic examination of fuel samples. The release mechanism consists of four regimes, which are dependent upon the temperature. Initially, the release ss controlled by move nent of point defects combined with trapping along grain boundaries. This regime is followed by a process dominated by formation and growth of helium bubbles piong grain boundaries. The third regime involves volume diffusion controlled by movement of oxygen vacancies. Finally, the release at the highest temperatures follows the diffusion rate of intragranislar bubbles. The tendency for helium to be trapped within the grain boundaries diminishes with small grain sizes, slow thermal pulses, and older fuel. Activation energies and diffusion constants were correlated with previous measurements conducted on inert gases diffusing in ceramics. The helium release measured from a LightWeight Radioisotopic Heater Unit in an earlier study was verified, and the release behavior was predicted for a heat source containing the current fuel form.
Two LightWeight Radioisotope Heater Units (LWRHU) were exposed to thermal ramps simulating atmospheric reentry. The helium release rates were measured during each test and modeled after simple diffusion theory. The reentry pulses did not result in swelling of the claddings or degradation of the fuel pellets.
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