Simulation of Xe redistribution in UO2

The transport of fission gases in UO2 based nuclear fuels has a significant effect on the fuel performance. They can induce swelling of the fuel by the nucleation of gas bubbles within the fuel, and increase the mechanical interaction between the UO2 pellet and the cladding; also these bubbles can escape through the grain boundaries and contribute to the gaseous atmosphere in the fuel pin. We propose a model for the redistribution of xenon in the presence of different sinks, including nucleation and growth of gas bubbles. The finite element method has been implemented for the numerical solution of the model.