Abstracts and Available Papers Presented at the
2000 International RERTR Meeting

The Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center Conversion from HEU to LEU Fuel

T. Tehan, Ph.D.
Director, Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center
Narragansett, Rhode Island

ABSTRACT

The 2 MW Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center (RINSC) open pool reactor was converted from 93% UAL-High Enriched Uranium (HEU) fuel to 20% enrichment U₃Si₂ -Al Low Enriched Uranium (LEU) fuel. The conversion included redesign of the core to a more compact size and the addition of beryllium reflectors and a beryllium flux trap. A significant increase in thermal flux level was achieved due to greater neutron leakage in the new compact core configuration. Following the conversion, a second cooling loop and an emergency core cooling system were installed to permit operation at 5 MW. After re licensing at 2 MW, a power upgrade request will be submitted to the NRC.

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