The feasibility of employing inert matrix ceramic fuels in a Russian light water reactor

• Published in: Journal of nuclear materials 2003-06, Vol.319 (Complete), p.154-158
• Main Authors: Baranaev, Yu.D., Popov, V.V., Sharapov, V.N., Troyanov, V.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0022-3115; 1873-4820
• DOI: 10.1016/S0022-3115(03)00211-3

This study presents a version of Water–Water Energy Reactor (WWER) type fuel elements made using inert matrix fuels (IMFs) whose oxide fissile particulates are densely placed throughout a highly heat-conductive metal matrix consisting of silumin (cermet fuels). In these WWER-type fuel elements with cermet fuel, the fuel is bonded to cladding in a metallurgic way. It possesses some special features allowing the fuel to be used for both steady-state and load following operation modes. The study presents the results of the analytic study of the two variants of cermet fuel based on UO 2 and UO 2 + ThO 2. The use of burnable poisons Er 2O 3 and Gd 2O 3 was considered. Characteristics of WWER with UO 2 + ThO 2 cermet fuel has been compared with those for conventional ceramic uranium dioxide fuel. In-pile testing of UO 2 cermet fuel elements was carried out successfully up to a burnup of ≅60 MW d kg −1 of U. Results of stress calculations have shown fuel element cladding stability for operation in the load following mode.