Fast Reactors and Accelerator Driven Systems Knowledge Base

Conference Article: A strategy for Pu destruction in PWRs

Abstract

We consider fuelling the core of a LWR with assemblies of standard and inert matrix based Pu fuels such that there is no net rate of Pu production. The Pu in the inert matrix fuel is obtained by recycling that from spent UO₂ fuel. The Pu produced in the standard UO₂ assemblies during reactor operation is then balanced by the Pu burnt in the inert matrix assemblies. This can be achieved by replacing approximately one fifth of the standard assemblies with inert matrix based Pu assemblies. Extended irradiation of the inert matrix assemblies is also considered. Calculations are presented for a homogeneous core containing standard and inert matrix assemblies at various stages of irradiation. On this basis, it is suggested that the large variations in k_infinity associated with individual assemblies of inert matrix based Pu in a LWR neutron spectrum can be considerably reduced by a suitable choice of the cycle loading pattern for the assemblies.

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Reference:

Advanced fuels with reduced actinide generation.Technical committee meeting, Vienna (Austria). 21-23 Nov 1995

International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (Austria)

IAEA-TECDOC--916, pp:159-168