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}
}