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Critical Experiments in PuO2-UO2-H2O Lattices

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1987624· OSTI ID:1987624
 [1];  [1]
  1. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
A series of critical experiments has been performed in the Plutonium Recycle Critical Facility (PRCF) using half-inch diameter U02-2 wt% PuO2 fuel rods moderated with H2O. The fuel rods are 36 inches long, 0.508 inches in diameter, covered with a Zircaloy-2 sleeve 0.030 inches thick, and each rod contains an average of 1128 g of UO2-PuO2 mixture. The rods were loaded in a hexagonal lattice with a pitch of 0.85 inches which corresponds to a moderator-to-oxide volume ratio of 1.83.
Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP); US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
DOE Contract Number:
AT(45-1)-1830
OSTI ID:
1987624
Report Number(s):
BNWL--400
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English