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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Evaluation of integrally finned cladding for LMFBR fuel pins

Conference ·
OSTI ID:7281048

An integral fin design effectively reduces the coolant temperature gradients within an LMFBR subassembly by redistributing coolant flow so as to reduce the maximum cladding temperature and increase the duct wall temperature. The reduced cladding temperatures are offset by strain concentrations resulting from the fin geometry, so there is little net effect on predicted fuel pin performance. The increased duct wall temperatures, however, significantly reduce the duct design lifetime so that the final conclusion is that the integral fin design is inferior to the standard wire wrap design. This result, however, is dependent upon the material correlations used. Advanced alloys with improved irradiation properties could alter this conclusion.

Research Organization:
Hanford Engineering Development Lab., Richland, Wash. (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
E(45-1)-2170
OSTI ID:
7281048
Report Number(s):
HEDL-SA-972; CONF-751101-87
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English