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U.S. Department of Energy
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Phoenix Fuel Program Progress Report

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4559513· OSTI ID:4559513
 [1];  [1]
  1. Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, WA (United States)
The Phoenix Fuel Program is a research and development project concerned with the use of plutonium fueled systems for extra long reactivity lifetime. Computational studies have been made that show the potential inherent in the utilization of 240Pu as a convertible poison. The conversion of the fertile 240Pu into the fissionable 241Pu helps balance the loss of the initial 239Pu during power operation. Thus, a plutonium fueled system can be developed with 240Pu as a reactivity control much as boron is used as the burnable poison in 235U fueled systems; however, the 240Pu has the added advantage of conversion to a fissionable isotope 241Pu.
Research Organization:
Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., 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
NSA Number:
NSA-22-014289
OSTI ID:
4559513
Report Number(s):
BNWL-635
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English