Neutronic and Logistic Proposal for Transmutation of Plutonium from Spent Nuclear Fuel as Mixed-Oxide Fuel in Existing Light Water Reactors

The use of light water reactors (LWRs) for the destruction of plutonium and other actinides [especially those in spent nuclear fuel (SNF)] is being examined worldwide. One possibility for transmutation of this material is the use of mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel, which is a combination of uranium and pluto...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nuclear technology 2004-08, Vol.147 (2), p.171-180
Main Author: Trellue, Holly R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
DESIGN
Energy
Energy. Thermal use of fuels
Exact sciences and technology
Fission nuclear power plants
Fuels
Installations for energy generation and conversion: thermal and electrical energy
MIXED OXIDE FUELS
Nuclear fuels
PLUTONIUM
PLUTONIUM OXIDES
Preparation and processing of nuclear fuels
PROPOSALS
SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
SPENT FUELS
TRANSMUTATION
URANIUM
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS
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Summary:The use of light water reactors (LWRs) for the destruction of plutonium and other actinides [especially those in spent nuclear fuel (SNF)] is being examined worldwide. One possibility for transmutation of this material is the use of mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel, which is a combination of uranium and plutonium oxides. MOX fuel is used in nuclear reactors worldwide, so a large experience base for its use already exists. However, to limit implementation of SNF transmutation to only a fraction of the LWRs in the United States with a reasonable number of license extensions, full cores of MOX fuel probably are required. This paper addresses the logistics associated with using LWRs for this mission and the design issues required for full cores of MOX fuel. Given limited design modifications, this paper shows that neutronic safety conditions can be met for full cores of MOX fuel with up to 8.3 wt% of plutonium.
ISSN:0029-5450
1943-7471
DOI:10.13182/NT04-A3523