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NON-RECYCLE BURNOUT ANALYSIS OF PLUTONIUM FUELS. Status Report-Part A

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4728304
Activities in an investigation concerning the relations of cross sections and neutron spectra as they affect the burnup characteristics of Pu are reported The isotope Pu/sup 240/ is shown to be useful in greater fractional burnups than can be achieved using materials such as U/sup 238/ or Th. Lowenrichment fuel cycles utilizing U/sup 238/ as the fertile material can achieve comparable lifetimes only with efficient neutron economies and with total fuel material requirements of the order of 100 times greater than those necessary with Pu/sup 240/. On the other hand, U/sup 235/ reactors without fertile material are limited to shorter reactivity lifetimes unless very large quantities of B or similar poisons are employed. (J.R.D.)
Research Organization:
General Electric Co. Hanford Atomic Products Operation, Richland, Wash.
DOE Contract Number:
AT(45-1)-1350
NSA Number:
NSA-17-015392
OSTI ID:
4728304
Report Number(s):
HW-57176
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English