skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: IRRADIATION TESTING OF PROTOTYPIC UO$sub 2$-PuO$sub 2$ PRTR FUEL ELEMENTS

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4746667

Irradiation tests of prototypic fuel elements containing UO/sup 2/-- PuO/ sub 2/, in which considerable PuO/sub 2/ segregation exists, showed that such elements can be operated satisfactorily under PRTR conditions. Micro-scale homogenizing of PuO/sub 2/ enrichment heterogeneities in UO/sub 2/ occurs in regions of high fuel temperatures. Complete in-reactor homogenizirg of gross PuO/ sub 2/ segregation in UO/sub 2/ does not occur. The operating limits of such a fuel element are governed by the degree and location of enrichment segregation within the fuel material; excessive core-clad interface temperatures result in damage to the cladding and could cause burnout. Incrementally loaded UO/sub 2/-- PuO/sub 2/ fuel elements are performing satisfactorily in the PRTR. (auth)

Research Organization:
General Electric Co. Hanford Atomic Products Operation, Richland, Wash.
DOE Contract Number:
AT(45-1)-1350
NSA Number:
NSA-17-006744
OSTI ID:
4746667
Report Number(s):
HW-SA-2668
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-63
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English