The advanced neutron source three-element-core fuel grading

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/205866· OSTI ID:193910

Gehin, J C

The proposed Advanced Neutron Source (ANS) pre-conceptual design consists of a two-element 330 MW{sub f} nuclear reactor fueled with highly-enriched uranium and is cooled, moderated, and reflected with heavy water. Recently, the ANS design has been changed to a three-element configuration in order to permit a reduction of the enrichment, if required, while maintaining or improving the thermal-hydraulic margins. The core consists of three annular fuel elements composed of involute-shaped fuel plates. Each fuel plate has a thickness of 1.27 mm and consists of a fuel meat region Of U{sub 3}Si{sub 2}-Al (50% enriched in one case that was proposed) and an aluminum filler region between aluminum cladding. The individual plates are separated by a 1.27 mm coolant channel. The three element core has a fuel loading of 31 kg of {sup 235}U which is sufficient for a 17-day fuel cycle. The goal in obtaining a new fuel grading is to maximize important temperature margins. The limits imposed axe: (1) Limit the temperature drop over the cladding oxide layer to less than 119{degrees}C to avoid oxide spallation. (2) Limit the fuel centerline temperature to less than 400{degrees}C to avoid fuel damage. (3) Limit the cladding wall temperature to less than the coolant. incipient-boiling temperature to avoid coolant boiling. Other thermal hydraulic conditions, such as critical heat flux, are also considered.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 193910
• Report Number(s): CONF-951006--27; ON: DE96003780
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
DESIGN
ENRICHED URANIUM
FUEL PLATES
HEAT TRANSFER
NEUTRON DIFFRACTION
NEUTRON SOURCE FACILITIES
NEUTRON SOURCES
POWER DENSITY
RESEARCH REACTORS