Computational studies of impurity migration during induction stirring of molten uranium

• Published in: Computational materials science 2023-10, Vol.229, p.112386, Article 112386
• Main Authors: Singh, Rajesh K., Corbey, Jordan F., Deshmukh, Nikhil S., Howard, Amanda A., Frazier, William E., Hu, Shenyang, Abrecht, David G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Impurities; Induction Furnace; MATERIALS SCIENCE; Particle Migration; Uranium Carbide; Uranium Melt
• ISSN: 0927-0256; 1879-0801
• DOI: 10.1016/j.commatsci.2023.112386

[Display omitted] •Migration of microparticle impurities in the uranium melt inside an induction furnace.•Homogeneous distribution of smaller carbide microparticles (less than50 μm) is predicted.•Larger particles (>50 μm) tend to move toward the crucible wall and upward in the system.•Particle shape does not have a significant impact on particle distribution in the melt. Understanding and controlling impurity behavior in actinide metal casting processes are foundational for efficient part production yet remain major challenges for researchers and industry. To help provide insight regarding impurity distribution during actinide metal casting, we have developed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models for a laboratory-scale system using commercial and open-source codes. This article describes multiple experiment-informed models designed to simulate a specific laboratory system in which uranium melt, containing a known starting concentration of carbon impurity, is electromagnetically stirred in an induction furnace. The goal of the simulations is to predict the motion of impurity particles in the form of uranium monocarbide in the velocity field of the melt. Prior to simulating the uranium–carbon system, numerical models were validated using a previously published nonradioactive experimental system. Effects of the size and shape of impurity particles in the models were investigated and agree with experimental findings. Simulation of smaller particles (less than 50 μm) shows more homogenous distribution throughout the stirred melt. With increased particle size (100 μm), the body forces, which include the buoyancy force, dominate over the drag force, causing larger particles to move toward the crucible walls and upward in the system.