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Conference Article: Novel Inert Matrix Fuel Kernels for Pu and Minor Actinide Incineration in High Temperature Reactors

J. Somers, A. Fernandez, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Transuranium Elements, Karlsruhe, GERMANY

Abstract

At present the renewed interest in HTR fuels is concentrated on UO2 fuel, which will undoubtedly be deployed in the next HTR’s. Plutonium oxide fuel is considered for the Gas Turbine Modular Helium reactor in Russia, for the incineration of excess stocks of military Pu. Until now, little consideration has been given to Inert Matrix Fuels (IMF), as they are not strictly necessary for the fuelling of a HTR core solely with Pu. In these experimental investigations novel Pu based kernels have been fabricated following an innovative fabrication route. Porous yttria stabilised zirconia (YSZ) kernels are produced in an inactive facility, entered in the gloveboxes, where they are infiltrated with plutonium nitrate solution. Following drying and calcination, they are sintered to give the final product kernels. In comparison to other kernel production methods, the infiltration process yields no undesirable radioactive liquid waste streams that have to be treated or recycled in gloveboxes. The sole effluent is gaseous NOx, which can be passed over corrosion resistant filters and treated by conventional means. The process can be extended readily to minor actinide kernels, and permits the incorporation of burnable poisons. Possibilities for improved fuel performance and higher discharge burnups are also discussed.

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key words: Gas Cooled Reactor, Nuclear Technology
Reference:
Proceedings of the Conference on High Temperature Reactors, Beijing, China, September, 22-24, 2004
International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (Austria)
HTR-2004, pp:1-11