Little Prairie Services (LPS) and its team members are integrating the latest in multiphysics modeling to simulate a fuel element based on a particular NRE design built up from designer parameters. The multiphysics modules can determine fuel integrity and fission product retention, as a function of temperature and operating times, and determine microstructure evolution including cracking and grain growth. The fuel element parameters are derived from high-level NRE requirements via the integration of the Integrated Rocket Optimization Code (IROC), linked with PHOENIX, a program linking multiphysics modules through the multiphysics object-oriented simulation environment (MOOSE). Ultimately, detailed safety-related information will be developed, including results of impact analyses through extensive hydro-codes such as PRONTO/SPH and radiation transport codes such as MELCOR Accident Consequence Code System version 2 (MACCS2). This enables safety to be integrated in from the very beginning of the design process resulting in a much more optimized safety-based nuclear rocket engine.
