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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

CRITICALITY STUDY FOR POPR CRITICAL EXPERIMENT FUEL FABRICATION

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4809103

Nuclear safety criteria were established for the fabrication, storage, and transportation of UO/sup 2/ fuels having an enrichment of 2.0 and 3.0% U/sup 235/. Twelve figures are included summarizing the results of this study. The following criteria were established for the 3.0% U/sup 235/ enriched fuel and may be safely applied to the 2.5% U/sup 235/ enriched UO/sub 2/ fuel of interest. The maximum safe batch size of UO/sub 2/, independent of container size or degree of water flooding is l.22 kgm contained U/sup 235/. Safe batch sizes as a function of container voIume are also presented. The maximum safe geometries are 27 liters for the sphere volume, 9.75 inches for the infinite cylinder diameter, and 4.18 inches for the infinite slab thickness. The maximum safe numbers of rods, independent of container size or degree of water flooding, are l45, ll0, and 90 for 0.30-inch, 0.34inch, and 0.38 inch diameter rods, respectively. Safe criteria are also given for the spacing between batches of pellets or rods. Safe criteria were also established for the 2.0% U/sup 235/ enriched UO/sub 2/. The maximum safe batch size, independent of container size or degree of water flooding is 1.99 kgm contained U/sup 235/. Safe batch sizes as a function of container volume are also presented. The maximum safe geometries are 52 liters for the sphere volume, l2.5 inches for the infinite cylinder diameter, and 5.95 inches for the infinite slab thickness. The maximum safe numbers of rods, independent of container size or degree of water flooding, are 290, 230, and 180 for 0.30-inch, 0.34inch, and 0.38-inch diameter rods, respectively. Safe criteria are also given for the spacing between batches of pellets or rods. (auth)

Research Organization:
Atomics International. Div. of North American Aviation, Inc., Canoga Park, Calif.
DOE Contract Number:
AT(11-1)-GEN-8
NSA Number:
NSA-16-004681
OSTI ID:
4809103
Report Number(s):
NAA-SR-Memo-6587
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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