Study of Thorium-Plutonium Fuel for Possible Operating Cycle Extension in PWRs

Joint Authors

Insulander Björk, Klara
Sandberg, Urban
Lau, Cheuk Wah
Nylén, Henrik

Source

Science and Technology of Nuclear Installations

Issue

Vol. 2013, Issue 2013 (31 Dec. 2013), pp.1-8, 8 p.

Publisher

Hindawi Publishing Corporation

Publication Date

2013-03-27

Country of Publication

Egypt

No. of Pages

8

Main Subjects

Engineering Sciences and Information Technology

Abstract EN

Computer simulations have been carried out to investigate the possibility of extending operating cycle length in the Pressurised Water Reactor Ringhals 3 by the use of thorium-plutonium oxide fuel.

The calculations have been carried out using tools and methods that are normally employed for reload design and safety evaluation in Ringhals 3.

The 3-batch reload scheme and the power level have been kept unchanged, and a normal uranium oxide fuel assembly designed for a 12-month operating cycle in this reactor is used as a reference.

The use of plutonium as the fissile component reduces the worth of control rods and soluble boron, which makes it necessary to modify the control systems.

The delayed neutron fraction is low compared with the reference, but simulations and qualitative assessments of relevant transients indicate that the reactor could still be operated safely.

Differences in reactivity coefficients are mainly beneficial for the outcome of transient simulations for the thorium based fuel.

A 50% extension of the current 12-month operating cycle length should be possible with thorium-plutonium mixed oxide fuel, given an upgrade of the control systems.

More detailed simulations have to be carried out for some transients in order to confirm the qualitative reasoning presented.

American Psychological Association (APA)

Insulander Björk, Klara& Lau, Cheuk Wah& Nylén, Henrik& Sandberg, Urban. 2013. Study of Thorium-Plutonium Fuel for Possible Operating Cycle Extension in PWRs. Science and Technology of Nuclear Installations،Vol. 2013, no. 2013, pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-504682

Modern Language Association (MLA)

Insulander Björk, Klara…[et al.]. Study of Thorium-Plutonium Fuel for Possible Operating Cycle Extension in PWRs. Science and Technology of Nuclear Installations No. 2013 (2013), pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-504682

American Medical Association (AMA)

Insulander Björk, Klara& Lau, Cheuk Wah& Nylén, Henrik& Sandberg, Urban. Study of Thorium-Plutonium Fuel for Possible Operating Cycle Extension in PWRs. Science and Technology of Nuclear Installations. 2013. Vol. 2013, no. 2013, pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-504682

Data Type

Journal Articles

Language

English

Notes

Includes bibliographical references

Record ID

BIM-504682