A Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) option for the conversion of FRM II

Reiter, C.; Bergeron, A.; Bonete-Wiese, D.; Kirst, M.; Mercz, J.; Schönecker, R.; Shehu, K.; Ozar, B.; Puig, F.; Licht, J.; Petry, W.; Müller-Buschbaum, P.

doi:10.1016/j.anucene.2022.109599

Title: A Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) option for the conversion of FRM II

Journal Article · Fri Dec 23 00:00:00 EST 2022 · Annals of Nuclear Energy

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anucene.2022.109599· OSTI ID:1991380

Reiter, C. ^[1]; Bergeron, A. ^[2];

^[1];

^[1]; Mercz, J. ^[1];

^[1]; Shehu, K. ^[1]; Ozar, B. ^[2]; Puig, F. ^[2]; Licht, J. ^[2]; Petry, W. ^[1];

^[1]

Technische Univ. Munchen, Garching (Germany). Dept. Physik
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)

The Forschungs-Neutronenquelle Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II) is Germany’s most powerful research reactor and uses Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) fuel enriched at 93 %. The Technical University of Munich (TUM) operates the reactor and has been mandated to convert the FRM II to a lower-enrichment fuel. In preparation for the lower-enrichment fuel downselection, planned for 2023, TUM is evaluating multiple conversion scenarios. In this paper, it is demonstrated that a conversion of FRM II to Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) is scientifically possible when using the novel monolithic U-10Mo fuel system, which is currently in the qualification process. As a research reactor, safety criteria, neutron flux distribution and cycle length are key metrics. To begin, neutronic and thermal-hydraulic models were created based on current technical drawings and relevant material properties. Specifically tailored computational methods and coupling schemes have also been developed to properly evaluate all relevant characteristics for the conversion of the FRM II reactor. Using these models and methods, a systematic parameter study was performed to explore the defined design space. The results of that study indicate that many LEU designs using monolithic U-10Mo appear to be viable to convert FRM II to LEU. One example of an LEU solution for the FRM II reactor that fulfills the stated safety, compatibility and scientific performance requirements is discussed in more detail.

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Research Organization:: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-06CH11357

OSTI ID:: 1991380

Journal Information:: Annals of Nuclear Energy, Vol. 183; ISSN 0306-4549

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Title: A Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) option for the conversion of FRM II

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