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Critical and Sub-Critical Experiments on Lattices of UO2/PuO2 Fuel in Water Poisoned with Gadolinium Nitrate Solution

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6925978
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
In support of its nuclear fuel cycle activities, British Nuclear Fuels Limited (BNFL) has commissioned the construction of a series of critical and sub-critical experimental cores consisting of heterogeneous lattices of fuel pins arranged in water poisoned with gadolinium nitrate solution. The principal objectives of the program were to assist in validating a particular calculation route being developed for BNFL design and safety assessments, and to derive data for the use of gadolinium as a neutron poison in nuclear chemical plant operations. The experiments used aluminum clad oxide fuel pins covering three enrichments: 4.31 w/o U235, 2.35 w/o U235 and a PuO2/ natural UO2 mixture. The fuel pins were arranged on a triangular pitched lattice, flooded and fully reflected axially and radially with water to which gadolinium nitrate may be added.
Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
DOE Contract Number:
AC06-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
6925978
Report Number(s):
PNL-SA-11751; CONF-8309105-3; ON: DE84011169
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English