HTGR Knowledge Base

Conference Article: HTR fuel manufacturing experience

Heit, W.; Huschka, H.; Mehner, A.W. (HOBEG mbH, Hanau (Germany))

Abstract

The development of the HTR line promises the availability of a number of technologies which can be used in many area of energy supply. Special properties of nuclear energy exploitation in high-temperature reactors include economical uranium consumption and lower pollution of the environment. Fuel cycle, design and irradiation performance requirements impose restraints on the fuel elements fabrication processes. Both kernel and coating fabrication processes are flexible enough to adapt to the needs of the various existing and proposed high temperature gas-cooled reactors. Extensive experience has demonstrated that fuel kernels with excellent sphericity and uniformity can be produced by wet chemical processes. Similarly experience has shown that the various multilayer coatings can be produced to fully meet design and specification requirements. In a comprehensive qualification program for fuel elements the low failure fraction of coated fuel particles, optimal matrix behavior and the required fission product retention of integral fuel elements was successfully demonstrated

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key words: Gas Cooled Reactor, Nuclear Technology
Reference:
Specialists' meeting on gas-cooled reactor fuel development and spent fuel treatment Moscow (Russian Federation) 18-21 Oct 1983
International Atomic Energy Agency, International Working Group on Gas-Cooled Reactors, Vienna (Austria); State Committee on the Utilisation of Atomic Energy of the USSR, Moscow (Russian Federation)
IWGGCR--8, pp:99-105