Criticality Experiments with a Mixed Oxide Fuel Pin Array in Plutonium-Uranium Nitrate Solutions

Conference · Sun Jun 04 04:00:00 EDT 1989

OSTI ID:6239487

Lloyd, R. C. ^[1]; Smolen, G. R. ^[2]; Matsumoto, T. ^[3]

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1. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
2. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
3. Power Reactor and Nuclear Fuel Development Corporation (PNC), (Japan)

A series of critical experiments was completed with an array of mixed oxide fuel pins surrounded by plutonium-uranium nitrate solutions. The objectives of these experiments are to provide criticality data for a heterogeneous system of fuel pins moderated with plutonium-uranium solutions, and to determine the effectiveness of soluble gadolinium as a neutron absorber for criticality control in optimizing the physical size of equipment. Experiments have been performed in a similar configuration, however, these new experiments provide criticality data for a tighter fuel lump spacing, where soluble neutron poisons are not as effective.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States); Power Reactor and Nuclear Fuel Development Corporation, (Japan)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP); USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE), Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Supply Chain
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 6239487
• Report Number(s): CONF-890604--1; ON: DE89006634
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

050800* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Spent Fuels Reprocessing
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
42 ENGINEERING
ACTINIDE COMPOUNDS
CONSOLIDATED FUEL REPROCESSING PROGRAM
COORDINATED RESEARCH PROGRAMS
CRITICALITY
Critical Experiments
Criticality Data
FUEL ELEMENTS
FUEL PINS
FUELS
MIXED OXIDE FUELS
NITRATES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLUTONIUM COMPOUNDS
PLUTONIUM NITRATES
REACTOR COMPONENTS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SOLID FUELS
TRANSURANIUM COMPOUNDS
URANIUM COMPOUNDS
URANIUM NITRATES