Abstract
A new assembly concept, designated APA (for A dvanced P lutonium fuel A ssembly), should make it possible to multi-recycle plutonium in pressurized water reactors. The basic idea is founded on the manufacture of a large plutonium thin annular fuel rod with an inert support, cooled on both faces. The absence of plutonium generation, combined with moderate fuel temperature should make it possible to achieve substantial burn-up fractions in these rods. The assembly is compatible with the internals of a Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR), and provides for permanent reversibility. Neutronic studies showed a compliance with actual safety/control criteria. A multi-recycling scenario was simulated for 84 years' operation with a 65 GW electrical power installed capacity, comprising forty-five 1450 MW electrical power PWRs, 32 of which are loaded with UO 2 and 13 with APAs. It showed that the plutonium inventory is controlled. Thermal-hydraulic studies showed one can find an annular rod geometry allowing one to respect both margins to Critical Heat Flux (CHF) during normal and accidental operations and void fraction limitations.
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