Uranium silicide fuel elements in heavy water moderated natural uranium reactors

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.