Low-Enriched Uranium Fuel Conversion Activities for the High Flux Isotope Reactor, Annual Report for FY 2011

Renfro, David G¹  Cook, David Howard¹  Freels, James D¹  Griffin, Frederick P¹  Ilas, Germina¹  Sease, John D¹  Chandler, David¹ 

[1] ORNL

关键词: ACCIDENTS;    FABRICATION;    HFIR REACTOR;    HYDRAULICS;    ORNL;    PERFORMANCE;    SAFETY MARGINS;    SCHEDULES;    TESTING;    URANIUM;    URANIUM OXIDES LEU Fuel;   

DOI  :  10.2172/1038476
RP-ID  :  ORNL/TM-2011/507
PID  :  OSTI ID: 1038476
Others  :  Other: NN9002000
Others  :  MDGA518
Others  :  TRN: US1202012

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来源: SciTech Connect

【 摘 要 】

This report describes progress made during FY11 in ORNL activities to support converting the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) from high-enriched uranium (HEU) fuel to low-enriched uranium (LEU) fuel. Conversion from HEU to LEU will require a change in fuel form from uranium oxide to a uranium-molybdenum (UMo) alloy. With both radial and axial contouring of the fuel foil and an increase in reactor power to 100 MW, calculations indicate that the HFIR can be operated with LEU fuel with no degradation in performance to users from the current levels achieved with HEU fuel. Studies are continuing to demonstrate that the fuel thermal safety margins can be preserved following conversion. Studies are also continuing to update other aspects of the reactor steady state operation and accident response for the effects of fuel conversion. Technical input has been provided to Oregon State University in support of their hydraulic testing program. The HFIR conversion schedule was revised and provided to the GTRI program. In addition to HFIR conversion activities, technical support was provided directly to the Fuel Fabrication Capability program manager.