Isotopically tailored materials for fission and fusion reactors

Conference · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1977

OSTI ID:7320298

DeWitt, R.; Wilkes, W. R.; Wittenberg, L. J.

The use of isotopically enriched fuels in nuclear ractors is well known. In addition, because many structural components of a reactor are subjected to the neutron flux, the isotopic composition of these components can also affect the reactor performance. In many cases, the chemical compositions of these structural materials have been altered to either reduce their neutronic interactions or improve their radiation stability. Recently, several reactor specialists have suggested that the isotopic composition of some components could also be adjusted to improve their performance. The reactor characteristics that may be affected by such isotopic adjustments are: (1) neutron economy, (2) operating efficiency (life time and operating temperature), and (3) environmental impact (activation and transmutation products). Some examples of isotopic modifications which illustrate the benefits of isotopic tailoring of materials in fission reactors and in proposed fusion reactors are given.

• Research Organization: Mound Lab., Miamisburg, OH (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-04-0053
• OSTI ID: 7320298
• Report Number(s): MLM-2426(OP); CONF-770566-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220200* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Components & Accessories
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700209 -- Fusion Power Plant Technology-- Component Development & Materials Testing
BUILDING MATERIALS
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
D-T REACTORS
EPITHERMAL REACTORS
FAST REACTORS
ISOTOPE EFFECTS
MATERIALS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR MATERIALS
REACTORS
THERMAL REACTORS
THERMONUCLEAR REACTORS