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Title: AN APPLICATION OF MOLTEN PLUTONIUM FUEL TO FAST BREEDERS

Abstract

Successful power operation of LAMPRE I supponts the promise of molten Pu as a fast reactor fuel. No significandt operational diificulties are experienced. A Ta thermal limitation and the Ta parasitic absorption are determining factors in the compromise between specific power and breeding ratio. With conservative assumptions, favorable doubling times are predicted. If long driver-fuel-element lifetime is feasible as anticipated, favorable fuel cycle costs should be available. A strong negative temperature coeificient owing to fuel expandsion is anticipated. While the reactor considered in this discussion is based on a straightforward extension of the LAMPRE I facility, there are several features that are extrapolations from proven technology. For instandce, Pa--Co--Ce is the fuel alloy assumed. The properties, including gas retention, of this alloy after high irradiation, are not yet established. Furthermore, Ta integrity after long irradiation is not yet established. (auth)

Authors:
; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Los Alamos Scientific Lab., N. Mex.
OSTI Identifier:
4124507
Report Number(s):
CONF-334-1; LADC-5825
NSA Number:
NSA-18-004799
DOE Contract Number:  
W-7405-ENG-36
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Resource Relation:
Other Information: From Conference on Breeding Economics, and Safety in Large Fast Power Reactors, Argonne, Ill., Oct. 1963. Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-64
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
REACTOR TECHNOLOGY; ABSORPTION; BREEDING; BURNUP; CERIUM ALLOYS; COBALT ALLOYS; CONFERENCE; CONFIGURATION; CONTAMINATION; DENSITY; DIFFUSION; ECONOMICS; EFFICIENCY; EQUATIONS; EXPANSION; FAST NEUTRONS; FISSION PRODUCTS; FUEL ELEMENTS; FUELS; GASES; HEAT TRANSFER; HIGH TEMPERATURE; IMPURITIES; IRRADIATION; LAMPRE-1; LIQUID METAL FUEL; MATERIALS TESTING; MECHANICAL PROPERTIES; MELTING; NEUTRON FLUX; PLUTONIUM; PLUTONIUM ALLOYS; POROSITY; POWER PLANTS; RADIATION EFFECTS; REACTIVITY; REACTOR SAFETY; REACTORS; REPROCESSING; STABILITY; TANTALUM; TEMPERATURE; VARIATIONS

Citation Formats

Hannum, W H, Ragan, G L, and Carmichael, B M. AN APPLICATION OF MOLTEN PLUTONIUM FUEL TO FAST BREEDERS. United States: N. p., 1963. Web.
Hannum, W H, Ragan, G L, & Carmichael, B M. AN APPLICATION OF MOLTEN PLUTONIUM FUEL TO FAST BREEDERS. United States.
Hannum, W H, Ragan, G L, and Carmichael, B M. 1963. "AN APPLICATION OF MOLTEN PLUTONIUM FUEL TO FAST BREEDERS". United States.
@article{osti_4124507,
title = {AN APPLICATION OF MOLTEN PLUTONIUM FUEL TO FAST BREEDERS},
author = {Hannum, W H and Ragan, G L and Carmichael, B M},
abstractNote = {Successful power operation of LAMPRE I supponts the promise of molten Pu as a fast reactor fuel. No significandt operational diificulties are experienced. A Ta thermal limitation and the Ta parasitic absorption are determining factors in the compromise between specific power and breeding ratio. With conservative assumptions, favorable doubling times are predicted. If long driver-fuel-element lifetime is feasible as anticipated, favorable fuel cycle costs should be available. A strong negative temperature coeificient owing to fuel expandsion is anticipated. While the reactor considered in this discussion is based on a straightforward extension of the LAMPRE I facility, there are several features that are extrapolations from proven technology. For instandce, Pa--Co--Ce is the fuel alloy assumed. The properties, including gas retention, of this alloy after high irradiation, are not yet established. Furthermore, Ta integrity after long irradiation is not yet established. (auth)},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/4124507}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1963},
month = {Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1963}
}

Technical Report:
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