Characterization and irradiation program: extended-burnup gadolina lead test assembly (Mark GdB)

Technical Report · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1984

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/8122002· OSTI ID:8122002

Newman, L W

This advanced fuel assembly uses a UO/sub 2/-Gd/sub 2/O/sub 3/ fuel burnable-absorber mixture along with other state-of-the-art fuel performance and uranium utilization-enhancing design features that include annular pellets, annealed guide tubes, Zircaloy intermediate grids, and a removable upper end fitting. Goal of the program is to extend the burnup of pressurized water reactor fuel assemblies to 50,000 MWd/mtU batch average burnup. To achieve this goal, five lead test assemblies have been designed, manufactured, characterized, and inserted for irradiation in Oconee Unit 1 cycle 8. One lead test assembly will receive 13,989 MWd/mtU burnup by its discharge at the end of cycle 8. Three of the four remaining lead test assemblies will receive approximately 45,000 MWd/mtU burnup by their discharge at the end of cycle 10. The fourth lead test assembly will receive approximately 58,000 MWd/mtU before being discharged at the end of cycle 11. The lead test assemblies and their constituent components have been extensively characterized to acquire a beginning-of-life data base to compare with future post-irradiation examination results and thereby determine the irradiation performance of the assemblies and their components. This report contains a description of the lead test assemblies and the pre-irradiation characterization data. Also, the plans for irradiating and examining these assemblies are discussed.

• Research Organization: Babcock and Wilcox Co., Lynchburg, VA (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-78ET34212; AC02-78ET34213
• OSTI ID: 8122002
• Report Number(s): DOE/ET/34212-44; BAW-1817; ON: DE85005147
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210200* -- Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Light-Water Moderated
Nonboiling Water Cooled
ACTINIDE COMPOUNDS
BURNABLE POISONS
BURNUP
CHALCOGENIDES
ENRICHED URANIUM REACTORS
FUEL ASSEMBLIES
FUEL MANAGEMENT
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GADOLINIUM OXIDES
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OXIDES
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REACTORS
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URANIUM COMPOUNDS
URANIUM DIOXIDE
URANIUM OXIDES
WATER COOLED REACTORS
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