Fabrication of non-fertile and evolutionary mixed oxide fuels
Conference
·
OSTI ID:385577
Non-fertile and evolutionary mixed oxide (EMOX) fuels for light water reactors have been fabricated using the solid-state reaction method. Specifically, the non-fertile fuel form fabricated for this study was a PuO{sub 2}-ZrO{sub 2}-CaO-Er{sub 2}O{sub 3}composition. Weapons-grade plutonium served as the source of PuO{sub 2}. The non-fertile fuel offers the key advantage of the {open_quotes}deep burn{close_quotes} capability for a once-through cycle. The non-fertile fuel achieves this performance through the absence of uranium, which breeds plutonium, in the fuel composition. An EMOX fuel form with a composition of PuO{sub 2}-UO{sub 2}-ZrO{sub 2}-CaO was also fabricated using weapons-grade plutonium and depleted uranium. The EMOX fuel concept allows for greater plutonium destruction as compared to standard MOX fuel and provides a licensing path forward towards eventual implementation of non-fertile fuels in light water reactors. This paper summarizes the ongoing activities and past accomplishments for the fabrication of non-fertile and EMOX fuel pellets. 2 figs.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- OSTI ID:
- 385577
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR--96-2591; CONF-961103--11; ON: DE96014201
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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