Transient temperature distributions in cylindrical fuel-element end caps

Abstract

The transient temperature distributions in bonded end caps of solid cylindrical fuel elements subjected to sudden change in temperature are determined analytically. The solution for the temperature distributions is expressed by products of Bessel functions, exponential functions and coupling relations between the end cap and the fuel section of the fuel element. A numerical example is given for enriched uranium oxide dispersed fuel elements with zircaloy cladding and bonded zircaloy end caps. From the calculated results of the example several conclusions are drawn (see section 4).