Some neutron physical consequences of maximizing the conversion ratio of pressurized water reactors operated in the uranium-plutonium cycle
Journal Article
·
· Nucl. Technol.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6885278
Maximum conversion ratios of Pu/U mixtures in a pressurized water reactor (PWR)-like open rod lattice core are assessed complying with established data of thermal design, allowing for agreeable discharge burnup values, and utilizing plutonium from PWRs with present time fuel management or with that expected for the near future. Void reactivity, temperature coefficients, and control rod requirements are discussed with respect to their compatibility with the usual PWR design principles. While the temperature coefficients show a completely satisfying behavior, the core control requirements lead to design inconveniences, which nevertheless can be overcome. A crucial constraint, however, is the void reactivity, which limits the specific plutonium content. From the economical point of view, high conversion fuel cycles are penalized by high fissile inventories but promoted by low net consumption of fissile material as well as by low specific reprocessing expenditures.
- Research Organization:
- GKSS Research Center Institute of Physics, Post Box 160, 2054 Geesthacht
- OSTI ID:
- 6885278
- Journal Information:
- Nucl. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Nucl. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 59:2; ISSN NUTYB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210200* -- Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Light-Water Moderated
Nonboiling Water Cooled
210802 -- Nuclear Power Plants-- Economics-- Fuel Cycle
ACTINIDES
CONTROL ROD WORTHS
CONVERSION RATIO
DESIGN
ECONOMICS
ELEMENTS
FISSILE MATERIALS
FISSIONABLE MATERIALS
FUEL ASSEMBLIES
FUEL CYCLE
FUEL MANAGEMENT
KINETICS
LIMITING VALUES
MATERIALS
METALS
NUCLEAR FUEL CONVERSION
OPTIMIZATION
PARAMETRIC ANALYSIS
PLUTONIUM
PLUTONIUM RECYCLE
PWR TYPE REACTORS
REACTIVITY COEFFICIENTS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR CORES
REACTOR KINETICS
REACTORS
TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS
URANIUM
VOID COEFFICIENT
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS
210200* -- Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Light-Water Moderated
Nonboiling Water Cooled
210802 -- Nuclear Power Plants-- Economics-- Fuel Cycle
ACTINIDES
CONTROL ROD WORTHS
CONVERSION RATIO
DESIGN
ECONOMICS
ELEMENTS
FISSILE MATERIALS
FISSIONABLE MATERIALS
FUEL ASSEMBLIES
FUEL CYCLE
FUEL MANAGEMENT
KINETICS
LIMITING VALUES
MATERIALS
METALS
NUCLEAR FUEL CONVERSION
OPTIMIZATION
PARAMETRIC ANALYSIS
PLUTONIUM
PLUTONIUM RECYCLE
PWR TYPE REACTORS
REACTIVITY COEFFICIENTS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR CORES
REACTOR KINETICS
REACTORS
TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS
URANIUM
VOID COEFFICIENT
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS