Design features of the Light Water Breeder Reactor (LWBR) which improve fuel utilization in light water reactors (LWBR development program)
This report surveys reactor core design features of the Light Water Breeder Reactor which make possible improved fuel utilization in light water reactor systems and breeding with the uranium-thorium fuel cycle. The impact of developing the uranium-thorium fuel cycle on utilization of nuclear fuel resources is discussed. The specific core design features related to improved fuel utilization and breeding which have been implemented in the Shippingport LWBR core are presented. These design features include a seed-blanket module with movable fuel for reactivity control, radial and axial reflcetor regions, low hafnium Zircaloy for fuel element cladding and structurals, and a closely spaced fuel rod lattice. Also included is a discussion of several design modifications which could further improve fuel utilization in future light water reactor systems. These include further development of movable fuel control, use of Zircaloy fuel rod support grids, and fuel element design modifications.
- Research Organization:
- Bettis Atomic Power Lab., West Mifflin, PA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC11-76PN00014
- OSTI ID:
- 6083371
- Report Number(s):
- WAPD-TM-1409; ON: DE82000410
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
210500* -- Power Reactors
Breeding
ALLOYS
BREEDER REACTORS
DESIGN
ENRICHED URANIUM REACTORS
FUEL CYCLE
FUEL ELEMENTS
FUEL MANAGEMENT
LWBR TYPE REACTORS
POWER REACTORS
PWR TYPE REACTORS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR CORES
REACTORS
SHIPPINGPORT REACTOR
THERMAL REACTORS
THORIUM CYCLE
TIN ALLOYS
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS
ZIRCALOY
ZIRCONIUM ALLOYS
ZIRCONIUM BASE ALLOYS