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Critical Experiment on a Flux-Trap-Type Hafnium Control Blade for BWRs

Conference · · Transactions of the American Nuclear Society
OSTI ID:6948578
Boron carbide has been utilized as a neutron absorber in boiling water reactors (BWRs) and other types of reactors. It has a number of advantages yet is not well suited for very high neutron exposure. An alternative long-lived control blade has therefore been sought. It is well known that hafnium may be best suited for this purpose, yet it has the disadvantage of heavy weight and low reactivity worth. This has been overcome by introducing a flux-trap-type all-hafnium control blade for BWRs. The blades are now involved in licensing procedures in some Japanese BWR plants.
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
OSTI ID:
6948578
Report Number(s):
CONF-8711195-
Conference Information:
Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society Journal Volume: 55
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English