FFTF fuel rotation for extended burnup
The standard driver fuel assemblies for the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) reactor are hexagonally shaped components, 11.976 cm (4.715 in.) across outside load pad flats and 3.66 m (12 ft) long. The assembly is composed of a bundle of 217 fuel pins, 0.584-cm (0.230-in.) o.d., containing mixed oxide (PuO/sub 2/-UO/sub 2/) pellets; a surrounding duct and lower and upper end hardware. The hexagonally shaped FFTF driver fuel assembly can be positioned within a given core location in any one of six possible orientations. This paper describes how rotation or reorientation of outer fuel in the core provides additional margin for extended burnup. The implementation of this rotation plan is now well under way at the FFTF. Twenty-two driver fuel assemblies in rows 4, 5, and 6 were rotated during the cycle 7 refueling in August of 1985. The projected average peak pellet burnup reduction for these fuel assemblies was 8% as shown in Table I. FFTF Core Management plans to continue rotation of approx.20 fuel assemblies per year - amounting to an annual cost savings of approx.$400,000, based on saving the equivalent of one to two assemblies per year.
- Research Organization:
- Westinghouse Hanford Co., Richland, WA
- OSTI ID:
- 7124692
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-861102-
- Journal Information:
- Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States), Vol. 53; Conference: American Nuclear Society and Atomic Industrial Forum joint meeting, Washington, DC, USA, 16 Nov 1986
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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FFTF REACTOR
FUEL MANAGEMENT
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REACTOR COMPONENTS
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220600* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Research
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