Characterization and irradiation program: extended-burnup gadolina lead test assembly (Mark GdB)
This advanced fuel assembly uses a UO/sub 2/-Gd/sub 2/O/sub 3/ fuel burnable-absorber mixture along with other state-of-the-art fuel performance and uranium utilization-enhancing design features that include annular pellets, annealed guide tubes, Zircaloy intermediate grids, and a removable upper end fitting. Goal of the program is to extend the burnup of pressurized water reactor fuel assemblies to 50,000 MWd/mtU batch average burnup. To achieve this goal, five lead test assemblies have been designed, manufactured, characterized, and inserted for irradiation in Oconee Unit 1 cycle 8. One lead test assembly will receive 13,989 MWd/mtU burnup by its discharge at the end of cycle 8. Three of the four remaining lead test assemblies will receive approximately 45,000 MWd/mtU burnup by their discharge at the end of cycle 10. The fourth lead test assembly will receive approximately 58,000 MWd/mtU before being discharged at the end of cycle 11. The lead test assemblies and their constituent components have been extensively characterized to acquire a beginning-of-life data base to compare with future post-irradiation examination results and thereby determine the irradiation performance of the assemblies and their components. This report contains a description of the lead test assemblies and the pre-irradiation characterization data. Also, the plans for irradiating and examining these assemblies are discussed.
- Research Organization:
- Babcock and Wilcox Co., Lynchburg, VA (USA)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-78ET34212; AC02-78ET34213
- OSTI ID:
- 8122002
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/ET/34212-44; BAW-1817; ON: DE85005147
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Development of an extended-burnup Mark B design. First semi-annual progress report, July-December 1978. Report BAW-1532-1. [PWR]
Development of an extended-burnup Mark B design. Second semiannual progress report, January-June 1979. [PWR]
Related Subjects
FUEL ASSEMBLIES
BURNUP
PERFORMANCE TESTING
OCONEE-1 REACTOR
PWR TYPE REACTORS
FUEL MANAGEMENT
BURNABLE POISONS
GADOLINIUM OXIDES
URANIUM DIOXIDE
ACTINIDE COMPOUNDS
CHALCOGENIDES
ENRICHED URANIUM REACTORS
GADOLINIUM COMPOUNDS
MATERIALS
NEUTRON ABSORBERS
NUCLEAR POISONS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POWER REACTORS
RARE EARTH COMPOUNDS
REACTOR MATERIALS
REACTORS
TESTING
URANIUM COMPOUNDS
URANIUM OXIDES
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS
210200* - Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Light-Water Moderated
Nonboiling Water Cooled