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Title: Modified fuel assembly design for pressurized water reactors with improved fuel utilization

Abstract

A method for reactivity control through variation of the moderator content in the reactor core was proposed. The main idea is to adjust the amount of water in the core from a low value at beginning of cycle to a high value at end of cycle, so as to compensate for fissile material burnup and buildup of fission products. The possible implementation of this idea may be carried out by introducing a number of hollow tubes into the fuel assembly between the fuel rods. Then variation of the moderator content in the core may be managed through a change of the water level in these tubes. A preliminary neutronic and economic analysis indicated a potential savings in the fuel cycle requirements and costs. Preliminary steady-state thermal-hydraulic calculations indicate the possibility of implementing the proposed method in the existing pressurized water reactor plants. Feasibility of the proposed design may be finally established after rigorous thermal hydraulics as well as safety analysis calculations. Furthermore, there is need to elaborate the mechanical design of the pressure vessel internals together with cost benefit analysis.

Authors:
;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Ben-Gurion Univ. of the Negev, Dept. of Nuclear Eng., Beer Sheva
OSTI Identifier:
6478384
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Nucl. Technol.; (United States)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 62:2
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS; PWR TYPE REACTORS; REACTOR CORES; CONFIGURATION CONTROL; MODERATORS; COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS; FUEL ASSEMBLIES; FUEL CYCLE; REACTIVITY; CONTROL; REACTOR COMPONENTS; REACTORS; WATER COOLED REACTORS; WATER MODERATED REACTORS; 210200* - Power Reactors, Nonbreeding, Light-Water Moderated, Nonboiling Water Cooled

Citation Formats

Galperin, A, and Ronen, Y. Modified fuel assembly design for pressurized water reactors with improved fuel utilization. United States: N. p., 1983. Web.
Galperin, A, & Ronen, Y. Modified fuel assembly design for pressurized water reactors with improved fuel utilization. United States.
Galperin, A, and Ronen, Y. 1983. "Modified fuel assembly design for pressurized water reactors with improved fuel utilization". United States.
@article{osti_6478384,
title = {Modified fuel assembly design for pressurized water reactors with improved fuel utilization},
author = {Galperin, A and Ronen, Y},
abstractNote = {A method for reactivity control through variation of the moderator content in the reactor core was proposed. The main idea is to adjust the amount of water in the core from a low value at beginning of cycle to a high value at end of cycle, so as to compensate for fissile material burnup and buildup of fission products. The possible implementation of this idea may be carried out by introducing a number of hollow tubes into the fuel assembly between the fuel rods. Then variation of the moderator content in the core may be managed through a change of the water level in these tubes. A preliminary neutronic and economic analysis indicated a potential savings in the fuel cycle requirements and costs. Preliminary steady-state thermal-hydraulic calculations indicate the possibility of implementing the proposed method in the existing pressurized water reactor plants. Feasibility of the proposed design may be finally established after rigorous thermal hydraulics as well as safety analysis calculations. Furthermore, there is need to elaborate the mechanical design of the pressure vessel internals together with cost benefit analysis.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6478384}, journal = {Nucl. Technol.; (United States)},
number = ,
volume = 62:2,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1983},
month = {Mon Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1983}
}