EBR-II metallic driver fuel - a live option

Journal Article · Thu Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981 · J. Eng. Power; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3230783· OSTI ID:5617172

Seidel, B R; Walters, L C

The exceptional performance of metallic driver fuel has been demonstrated by the irradiation of a large number of Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II) driver-fuel elements of uranium-5 wt percent fissium clad in austenitic stainless steel. High burnup with high reliability has been achieved by a close coupling of element design and materials selection. The irradiation performance has been improved by decreasing the fuel smear density, increasing the plenum volume, increasing the cladding thickness, and selecting a higher-strength, lower-swelling cladding alloy which exhibits less fuel-cladding chemical interaction. Quantification of reliability has allowed full utilization of the element lifetime. Lifetimes much greater than 10 at. percent could be achieved by a design change of the restrainer, which currently limits life. Use of U-Pu-Zr fuel alloy with current cladding material would provide higher-temperature capability. Metallic fuel systems with their inherently superior breeding and irradiation performance are a capable and attractive next-generation power systems. 19 refs.

• Research Organization: Argonne Natl Lab, Idaho Falls, Idaho, USA
• OSTI ID: 5617172
• Journal Information: J. Eng. Power; (United States), Journal Name: J. Eng. Power; (United States) Vol. 103:4; ISSN JEPOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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FAST REACTORS
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