AEC FUEL CYCLE PROGRAM. DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF THE BASIC FUEL ASSEMBLIES

Technical Report · Fri Mar 15 04:00:00 EST 1963

OSTI ID:4682212

Baroch, C J; Hoffmann, J P; Rous, W C

The basic fuel for the Fuel Cycle Program consists of 50 fuel rod assemblies, which were fabricated by current commercial methods. The purpose of these fuel assemblies is to study the effect of design, fabrication, and performance variables that could influence fuei life. Ten stainless-steel-clad control-rod-follower fuel assemblies (designated Type H), containing UO/sub 2/ pellets of 2.76% enrichment, were fabricated. These assemblies are attached in the bottom of the control rods and are raised into the core as the control rods are withdrawn. Sixteen stainlesssteel-clad fuel assemblies (designated Type I), containing UO/sub 2/ Pellets of 3.22% enrichment were fabricated along with 24 Zircaloy-clad assemblies (designated Type J), containing UO/sub 2/ Pellets of 2.76 to 4.3% enrichment. Twenty-three of the Type J assemblies were fabricated with Zircaloy-2 cladding. One assembly contains 3 rods clad with Zircaloy-4 and 13 rods clad with Zircaloy-2. One Zircaloy-2-clad assembly was modified to accommodate the irradiation of short fuel segments containing natural UO/sub 2/ pellets enriched with 1.5% PuO/sub 2/. One of the stainless-steel-clad, type I, and two of the Zircaloy, type J, assemblies were instrumented to provide data on in-core neutron flux, coolant temperature, pressure drop, and coolant flow rates for the VBWR stability tests. These instrumented assemblies contain only 14 fuel rods. Twenty-five stainless steel clad assemblies were loaded into the VBWR in September 1966. The twenty-sixth stainless steel assembly was instrumented and inserted in the VBWR in October 1961. Nine Zircaloy clad assemblies were inserted in the VBWR in June 1961, and 12 Zircaloy clad assemblies were installed in August 1961. Two instrumented Zircaloy clad assemblies were inserted in October 1961. The last Zircaloy clad assembly was placed in the VBWR in January 1962. A summary of the characteristics of each fuel assembly is presented. Data obtained during the fabrication of the fuel rods and assemblies were recorded. (auth)

• Research Organization: General Electric Co. Atomic Power Equipment Dept., San Jose, Calif.
• NSA Number: NSA-17-030948
• OSTI ID: 4682212
• Report Number(s): GEAP-3653
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

FABRICATION
FUEL CANS
FUEL ELEMENTS
IRRADIATION
METALS, CERAMICS, AND OTHER MATERIALS
PERFORMANCE
PLANNING
PLUTONIUM OXIDES
REACTORS
RODS
STAINLESS STEELS
URANIUM DIOXIDE
VBWR
ZIRCALOY