Calculational criticality analyses of 10- and 20-MW UF[sub 6] freezer/sublimer vessels

Technical Report · Mon Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1993

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6694484· OSTI ID:6694484

Jordan, W C

Calculational criticality analyses have been performed for 10- and 20-MW UF[sub 6] freezer/sublimer vessels. The freezer/sublimers have been analyzed over a range of conditions that encompass normal operation and abnormal conditions. The effects of HF moderation of the UF[sub 6] in each vessel have been considered for uranium enriched between 2 and 5 wt % [sup 235]U. The results indicate that the nuclearly safe enrichments originally established for the operation of a 10-MW freezer/sublimer, based on a hydrogen-to-uranium moderation ratio of 0.33, are acceptable. If strict moderation control can be demonstrated for hydrogen-to-uranium moderation ratios that are less than 0.33, then the enrichment limits for the 10-MW freezer/sublimer may be increased slightly. The calculations performed also allow safe enrichment limits to be established for a 20-NM freezer/sublimer under moderation control.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 6694484
• Report Number(s): ORNL/CSD/TM-288; ON: DE93009871
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

050500* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Uranium Enrichment
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ACTINIDE COMPOUNDS
ACTINIDES
ANALYTICAL SOLUTION
COMPUTER CALCULATIONS
COMPUTER CODES
CRITICALITY
ELEMENTS
ENRICHED URANIUM
EVAPORATION
FLUORIDES
FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
FREEZERS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROFLUORIC ACID
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ACIDS
ISOTOPE ENRICHED MATERIALS
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METALS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
S CODES
SAFETY
SUBLIMATION
URANIUM
URANIUM COMPOUNDS
URANIUM FLUORIDES
URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE