Plutonium reload experience and perspective in French pressurized water reactors

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (USA)

OSTI ID:6769695

Rome, M; Salvatores, M; le Bars, M

There are two solutions at the back end of the pressurized water reactor (PWR) fuel cycle: storage of the fuel assemblies and reprocessing and recycling of the fissile materials. Spent fuel reprocessing has been the choice in France since the beginning of the French nuclear program. In June 1985 it was decided to recycle plutonium in French PWR plants. A generic safety report for plutonium recycle was established by FRAGEMA for Electricite de France's (EdF) 900-MW PWRs at the end of 1986. It demonstrates the feasibility of mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel recycling with 30% maximum ratio of MOX assemblies in each reload. In October 1987, EdF received the safety authorities' agreement for MOX loading in 900-MW PWRs. This paper describes the neutronic results, fuel behavior, and economic aspects of the EdF program.

• OSTI ID: 6769695
• Report Number(s): CONF-891103--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (USA) Journal Volume: 60
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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CHALCOGENIDES
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
ELEMENTS
EUROPE
FRANCE
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FUEL CYCLE
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