Development of high-uranium loaded U/sub 3/O/sub 8/-Al fuel plates

Journal Article · Mon Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Nucl. Technol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6767852

Copeland, G L; Martin, M M

A common plate-type fuel for research and test reactors is U/sub 3/O/sub 8/ dispersed in aluminum and clad with an aluminum alloy. There is an impetus to reduce the /sup 23/U enrichment from above 90% to below 20% for these fuels to lessen the risk of diversion of the uranium for nonpeaceful uses. Thus, the uranium content of the fuel plates has to be increased to maintain the performance of the reactors. Work at Oak Ridge National Laboratory has determined the maximal uranium loading for these fuels that can be fabricated with commercially proven materials and techniques and that can be expected to perform satisfactorily in service. Assuming satisfactory performance in irradiation tests to the required burnup, the author, anticipate being able to increase the uranium loading in U/sub 3/O/sub 8/-Al dispersions to the 3.1 Mg U/m/sup 3/ level (75 wt% U/sub 3/O/sub 8/). This loading level will allow many research reactors to be fueled by uranium of <20% enrichment.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Metals and Ceramics Division, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830
• OSTI ID: 6767852
• Journal Information: Nucl. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Nucl. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 56:3; ISSN NUTYB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

050700 -- Nuclear Fuels-- Fuels Production &amp; Properties
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
220600* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Research
Test &amp; Experimental Reactors
ACTINIDE COMPOUNDS
ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
ACTINIDES
ALLOYS
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
ALUMINIUM
ALUMINIUM ALLOYS
BURNUP
CHALCOGENIDES
DISPERSION NUCLEAR FUELS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENRICHED URANIUM
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
FABRICATION
FUEL CANS
FUEL ELEMENTS
FUEL PLATES
FUELS
HEAVY NUCLEI
INHIBITION
ISOMERIC TRANSITION ISOTOPES
ISOTOPE ENRICHED MATERIALS
ISOTOPE SEPARATION
ISOTOPES
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
METALS
MINUTES LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
NUCLEAR FUELS
NUCLEAR MATERIALS DIVERSION
NUCLEAR MATERIALS MANAGEMENT
NUCLEI
OPTIMIZATION
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE
PROLIFERATION
QUANTITY RATIO
RADIOISOTOPES
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR MATERIALS
REACTORS
RESEARCH AND TEST REACTORS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLID FUELS
URANIUM
URANIUM 235
URANIUM COMPOUNDS
URANIUM ISOTOPES
URANIUM OXIDES
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES