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

Pressure-vessel fluence reduction through selective fuel-assembly replacement

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6138688
The nil-ductility transition temperature (RT/sub NDT/) of a PWR pressure vessel (PV) increases during its lifetime due to neutron-induced radiation damage. If during a pressurized thermal shock (PTS) event the PV is cooled below its RT/sub NDT/ and then repressurized, the vessel may undergo brittle fracture. For several operating reactors it may be necessary to reduce this neutron-induced vessel damage in order to maintain the vessel RT/sub NDT/ below the range of concern. In this study the potential fluence (and hence damage) reduction achievable by selective replacement of peripheral fuel assemblies in which the fuel rods have been replaced by stainless steel rods is considered.
Research Organization:
Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-76CH00016
OSTI ID:
6138688
Report Number(s):
BNL-NUREG-33322; CONF-831047-52; ON: DE83015329
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English