Characterization of the sodium void reactivity effect for advanced liquid metal reactor fuels
- Univ. of Washington, Seattle, WA (United States)
This report discusses the problems of a large positive sodium void reactivity effect in liquid metal reactors which have received increased attention following the accident at Chernobyl, a light water reactor with a positive coolant void coefficient. While the probability of voiding sodium is small, a large positive sodium void reactivity effect is, in many minds, unacceptable. Analyses were performed on models of an advanced liquid metal reactors to determine the effects fuel type have on the sodium void reactivity effect. Three fuel types were considered; metal, oxide, and nitride. Calculations were performed using three-dimensional, multigroup diffusion theory. Two programs were developed to aid the analyses. One calculated the capture-to-fission ratio and the other calculated reaction rates of selected materials. A one-group equation was derived to determine a theoretical basis for the sodium void reactivity effect. An option was presented for a shortened core having a near-zero sodium-void worth. The effect on the sodium void reactivity effect of using actinides as fuel is also considered.
- Research Organization:
- Westinghouse Hanford Co., Richland, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-87RL10930
- OSTI ID:
- 10116581
- Report Number(s):
- WHC-MR-0451; ON: DE94005487; BR: 35AF11201/35AF11202
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: DN: Thesis submitted to University of Washington; TH: Thesis (M.S.); PBD: Dec 1993
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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