Fuel element design and analysis for potential LEU conversion of the Advanced Test Reactor. (April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: DeHart, Mark D.; Karriem, Zain; Pope, Michael A.; Johnson, Matthew P.
• Is Part Of: Progress in nuclear energy. Volume 104(2018)
• Page Start: 117
• Page End: 135
• Publication Date: 2018-04
• Subjects: ATR -- ATRC -- HEU -- LEU -- Conversion; Nuclear energy -- Periodicals; Nuclear engineering -- Periodicals; 333.7924
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pnucene.2017.09.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0149-1970

Abstract

Abstract: This paper provides a summary of the status of the design process for a low-enrichment replacement for the high-enrichment fuel that has historically been used in the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) at Idaho National Laboratory. Under current long-term Department of Energy policy, the ATR will be converted to operate using low-enrichment fuel by 2030. To this end, an engineering evaluation and design process has been underway for more than ten years. Initially performed as a series of scoping studies for different design options, the last five years have seen a transition to a formal Safety-in-Design approach to the design and safety evaluation process. This paper focuses on such efforts in progress since 2012 to identify pre-conceptual and conceptual design candidates for ATR conversion. The Enhanced LEU Fuel (ELF) design is selected as the most promising conceptual design. Analyses and trade-off studies performed that led to that selection are described. Finally, analysis of certain aspects of core performance for an ELF-fueled core relative to the current high-enrichment fuel show that only small and manageable changes to core operations will be necessary to support conversion of ATR to low-enrichment fuel.