Study of vibration packing characteristics with simulated fuel particles

Shigetome, Yoshiaki; not registered ; not registered; not registered; Endo, Hideo

This report presents the results of vibration packing experiments and computational simulations of particle compaction behavior. Both sphere and shard particles were evaluated in these works. Experiments with simulated fuel palticles were conducted to investigate the factors affecting packing behavior. The factors are classified into geometrical and dynamics factors. With regard to the geometrical factors for sphere packing, the experimental results prove that the achievablc packing fraction can be predicted by the equation derived by Ayer, which is relationship of inner diameter of cladding and diameters of particles. As for the dynamics factors, less vibration displacement is preferable, because it produccs faster packing with less segregation. Similar experiments were conducted for the shard particles. The results indicate the packing characteristics of the shard particles are different from the sphere particles. Optimum weight ratio between particle sizes is different from the ratio given by Ayer's equation. As for the dynamics factors, the sweeping frequencies while packing were sufficient to obtain high packing fraction. Computational simulations were performed to investigate the particle behavior while packing. The movement of infiltrating and bed particles while packing was well understood.