Abstracts and Available Papers Presented at the
2002 International RERTR Meeting

CALCULATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE MNR CORE CONVERSION

S. E. Day, M. P. Butler, Wm. J. Garland

McMaster Nuclear Reactor
McMaster University
Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4K1
Canada

ABSTRACT

Calculations and results in support of the HEU to LEU fuel conversion for the McMaster Nuclear Reactor are described.  Static reactor physics studies were used to determine local and global power distributions; facilitating the definition of a Reference Core configuration for mixed HEU-LEU and complete LEU loadings.  Fission product inventory calculations were used to compare the two fuel enrichments from a radiological hazard point of view.  Thermalhydraulic models were created and analyzed to determine steady-state temperature distributions and safety margins, and used as a scoping tool the in development of a full core thermalhydraulic model.  The behaviour of the two enrichment fuels was investigated in the context of a protected startup transient.  The simulation results support the conclusion that the LEU fuel behaves in much the same way as the HEU fuel, which it is replacing.  The conversion results in no new safety issues or significant changes in safety parameters.

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