Reactor physics parameters of alternate fueled FBR core designs
Nuclear non-proliferation considerations have resulted in renewed interest in the thorium fuel cycle. Reactor physics parameters of a typical 1200-MW(e) Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) design were compared when U-233 is substituted for Pu as a fissile fuel and when Th-232 is substituted for U-238 as a fertile fuel. When the U-238 in the blanket is replace with Th-232, the reactor physics parameters are relatively unchanged. However, replacing U-238 in the core with TH-232 increases the critical mass by 11 to 15% and decreases the breeding ratio by 0.13 to 0.16. In addition, replacing the Pu in the core with U-233 decreases the critical mass by 4 to 6% and decreases the breeding ratio by 0.13 to 0.16. Both of the changes in the core make the sodium void coefficient more negative.
- Research Organization:
- Hanford Engineering Development Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- EY-76-C-14-2170
- OSTI ID:
- 6069734
- Report Number(s):
- HEDL-SA-1329; CONF-771109-112
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
210500* -- Power Reactors
Breeding
BREEDER REACTORS
BREEDING RATIO
CONVERSION RATIO
EPITHERMAL REACTORS
FAST REACTORS
FBR TYPE REACTORS
FUEL CYCLE
KINETICS
LIQUID METAL COOLED REACTORS
LMFBR TYPE REACTORS
REACTIVITY COEFFICIENTS
REACTOR KINETICS
REACTORS
THORIUM CYCLE
VOID COEFFICIENT