Analytical solution of transient heat transfer with variable source for applications in nuclear reactors

The volumetric heat source in a nuclear fuel element, may vary with time an d / or with space for an uncontrolled operating condition, The time require d to attain the melting point of the cladding material was determined consi dering two trial variations of the source term, one with time only and the other with time and space as well. A general analytical solution for this t ransient heat transfer problem with variable source that can take care of a ny functional variations of source is presented. The dependence of the time required for melting of the cladding material with other parameters, e.g., Biot number, source strength, etc. are also investigated. (C) 2001 Elsevie r Science Ltd.