Critical Experiments with Mixed Oxide Fuel

Conference · Sat May 10 00:00:00 EDT 1997

OSTI ID:543259

Harris, D. R. ^[1]

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1. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY (United States)

This paper very briefly outlines technical considerations in performing critical experiments on weapons-grade plutonium mixed oxide fuel assemblies. The experiments proposed would use weapons-grade plutonium and Er₂O₃ at various dissolved boron levels, and for specific fuel assemblies such as the ABBCE fuel assembly with five large water holes. Technical considerations described include the core, the measurements, safety, security, radiological matters, and licensing. It is concluded that the experiments are feasible at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Reactor Critical Facility.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States); Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst., Troy, NY (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
• OSTI ID: 543259
• Report Number(s): LA-13277-C; CONF-9405144-; ON: DE97007297; TRN: 97:020300
• Resource Relation: Conference: Nuclear Criticality Technology Safety Project Workshop , Williamsburg, VA (United States), 10-11 May 1994; Other Information: PBD: Jun 1997; Related Information: Is Part Of Proceedings of the nuclear criticality technology safety project; Sanchez, R.G. [comp.]; PB: 184 p.
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
MIXED OXIDE FUELS
CRITICALITY
PLUTONIUM 239
ERBIUM OXIDES
RENSSELAER CRITICAL FACILITY
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
NUCLEAR WEAPONS DISMANTLEMENT
Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
Technical Considerations
Critical Experiments
Conclusions