Uranium silicide fuel elements in heavy water moderated natural uranium reactors
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Date
1972-07
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Australian Atomic Energy Commission
Abstract
Some aspects of using natural uranium silicide fuel elements in heavy water moderated reactors are studied with particular attention to reactivity limited fuel burnup. Both pressurised heavy water cooled and boiling light water cooled reactor types are considered. It is shown that with suitable redesign of the fuel element and/or pressure tube geometry to take advantage of the thermal properties of U3Si, substantial improvements in fuel burnup may be expected in comparison with similar U02 fuelled reactors.
Description
Keywords
Uranium silicides, Heavy water, Natural uranium reactors, Fuel element clusters, Reactor lattices, PHWR type reactors, BWR type reactors
Citation
McCulloch, D. B., & Whitfield, J. H. (1972). Uranium silicide fuel elements in heavy water moderated natural uranium reactors. (AAEC/E233). Lucas Heights, NSW: Australian Atomic Energy Commission.