Abstracts and Available Papers Presented at the 2002 International RERTR Meeting
THE
PROPOSED USE OF LOW ENRICHED URANIUM FUEL IN
THE HIGH FLUX AUSTRALIAN REACTOR (HIFAR)
D. Vittorio, G. Durance
Nuclear Technology
Division
Australian Nuclear
Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)
PMB 1 Menai, NSW 2234
Australia
ABSTRACT
The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology
Organisation (ANSTO) operates the High Flux Australian
Reactor (HIFAR). HIFAR commenced
operation in the late 1950’s with fuel elements containing uranium enriched to
93%. From that time the level of enrichment
has gradually decreased to the current level of 60%. It is now proposed to further reduce the
enrichment of HIFAR fuel to <20% by utilising LEU
fuel assemblies manufactured by RISO National Laboratory, that were originally
intended for use in the DR-3 reactor.
Minor modifications have been made to the assemblies to adapt them for
use in HIFAR.
A detailed design review has been performed and
initial safety analysis and reactor physics calculations are to be submitted to
ARPANSA as part of a four-stage approval process.