Very high flux research reactors based on particle fuels

Conference · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:6121500

Powell, J R; Takahashi, H

A new approach to high flux research reactors is described, the VHFR (Very High Flux Reactor). The VHFR fuel region(s) are packed beds of HTGR-type fuel particles through which coolant (e.g., D/sub 2/O) flows directly. The small particle diameter (typically on the order of 500 microns) results in very large surface areas for heat transfer (approx. 100 cm/sup 2//cm/sup 3/ of bed), high power densities (approx. 10 megawatts per liter), and minimal ..delta..T between fuel and coolant (approx. 10 K) VHFR designs are presented which achieve steady-state fluxes of approx. 2x10/sup 16/ n/cm/sup 2/sec. Deuterium/beryllium combinations give the highest flux levels. Critical mass is low, approx. 2 kg /sup 235/U for 20% enriched fuel. Refueling can be carried out continuously on-line, or in a batch process with a short daily shutdown. Fission product inventory is very low, approx. 100 to 300 grams, depending on design.

• Research Organization: Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH00016
• OSTI ID: 6121500
• Report Number(s): BNL-35633; CONF-850110-3; IAEA-CN-46/038; ON: DE85006686
• Resource Relation: Conference: International conference on neutron scattering in the '90s, Juelich, F.R. Germany, 14 Jan 1985; Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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FUEL PARTICLES
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