2007 International RERTR Meeting

Abstracts and Available Papers Presented at the Meeting

Progress in the Conversion Activity of the Syrian MNSR

M. Albarhoum
Department of Nuclear Engineering, Atomic Energy Commission, P. O. Box, 6091
Damascus- Syria

ABSTRACT

A Coordinate Research Proposal has been signed between the Atomic Energy Commission of Syria from one side and the IAEA from the other side in 2006 to achieve the conversion feasibility studies of the Syrian MNSR. Phase I has been already completed. The outcome of this phase was that the Syrian MNSR could be converted to use the LEU fuel, especially the UO₂ pelletized fuel and cladded in Zircalloy-4. Two types of fuel rods were proposed: the first one is 5.1 mm rod OD and 4.1 mm meat OD, and the second one is 5.5 mm rod OD and 4.3 mm meat OD. It seems that these fuels can be utilized in the Syrian MNSR with 12.5% and 12.8% enrichments, respectively. The initial excess reactivities would be then 6.1964 mk, and 4.4412 mk, respectively, compared to the initial excess reactivity for the HEU which is ~3.8551 mk. The CRP is proceeding with the Phase II in which fuel selection and thermal-hydraulics calculations for the new fuel will be performed.

 

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