Abstracts and Available Papers Presented at the 2002 International RERTR Meeting
THE FUEL CYCLE OF REACTOR PIK
Yu. V. Petrov, A. N. Erykalov
and M. S. Onegin
Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute of RAS
188350, Gatchina, Leningrad district, Russia
ABSTRACT
A neutron feasibility study for HEU (90%)-MEU (36%) conversion
of the reactor PIK was performed. The weak absorbing aluminum matrix was
proposed in meat of the new PIK-2 FE
instead of copper in reference case of standard PIK. The stainless steel
cladding was left the same. For the additional gain in reactivity the stainless
steel vessel and housing were changed for aluminum ones. The neutronics of the full scale computer model of PIK reactor
core was computed with Russian Monte Carlo code MCU PR. Calculations show that
a uranium density of 3.64 gU/cm3 of MEU (36%) fuel leads to better
core parameters. Compared to reference case, the PIK-2 FE with MEU fuel and 1/3
lower loading by 235U have a longer equilibrium fuel cycle (27 fpd instead of 24
fpd) and
higher burnup (37.3% instead of 23.7%). Due to lower neutron absorption in aluminum
vessel and housing, all thermal neutron fluxes in D2O-reflector
increased about 1.4 times. The worth of control regulators increased several
times. This neutronic feasibility study of fuel enrichment reduction of PIK
reactor is sufficient to start the fabrication feasibility study and subsequent
in-pile irradiation tests of PIK-2 FE with MEU (36%) fuel.
Contact:
Mr. Yuri V. Petrov
Professor, Principal Researcher
Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute
188350 Gatchina
St. Petersburg, Russia
Phone: 7 (812)
714-6096
Fax: 7 (812) 713-1963
E-mail: [email protected]
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