Operational experience with ZrB/sub 2/ integral fuel burnable absorbers

Conference · Wed Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1986 · Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7148191

Pritchett, J E; Mueller, D E

This paper describes the first full-scale usage in two pressurized water reactor (PWR) cores of an integral fuel burnable absorber (IFBA) developed by Westinghouse. The IFBA design has been utilized in previous cores on a demonstration basis. The absorber used is a thin coating (< 1 mil) of zirconium diboride (ZrB/sub 2/) on the outer surface of the enriched uranium dioxide (UO/sub 2/) fuel pellet. Selected rods within certain feed assemblies contain the IFBA coating. The first IFBA-containing core began operation in March 1987 in a two-loop plant reload annual cycle. The second IFBA-containing core will begin operation later in 1987 in a three-loop reload 18-month cycle. Design predictions show that both cores could utilize IFBA to meet difficult constraints and to achieve fuel management benefits that are not possible with discrete burnable absorbers. The ultimate test for the IFBA will be the ability to perform as predicted during actual plant operation. The two-loop core measurement data obtained to date have shown good agreement with design prediction. These results are discussed. The design and operational experience from these two cores offer confirmation of excellent ZrB/sub 2/ predictability and performance in controlling power peaking and achieving added benefits in fuel management strategies.

• OSTI ID: 7148191
• Report Number(s): CONF-8711195-
• Journal Information: Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States), Journal Name: Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States) Vol. 55; ISSN TANSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210200* -- Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Light-Water Moderated
Nonboiling Water Cooled
BORIDES
BORON COMPOUNDS
BURNABLE POISONS
FUEL ASSEMBLIES
FUEL MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
NEUTRON ABSORBERS
NEUTRON LEAKAGE
NUCLEAR POISONS
OPERATION
PERFORMANCE
PWR TYPE REACTORS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR CORES
REACTOR MATERIALS
REACTOR OPERATION
REACTORS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS
ZIRCONIUM BORIDES
ZIRCONIUM COMPOUNDS