The German oxide fuel pin irradiation test experience for fast reactors

Abstract

The German Oxide Fuel Pin Irradiation Test Experience for Fast Reactors In the time since 1965 our fast reactor fuel development activities have dealt with many experimental oxide fuel pin specimens irradiated in thermal, epithermal and fast neutron flux. Most of the important parameters in view of the forthcoming prototypic fuel pins were implemented by the different experiments including fuel density and diameter, cladding type, linear rod power, neutron dose, burnup and temperature. Also the pin behaviour at operational power'change and under abnormal conditions were studied tosome extent. The experiments divided in more than 30 test groups were carried out or are underway in the reactors FR-2 and KNK-II in Karlsruhe, BR-2 in Mol; HFR in Petten, DFR in Dounreay, RAPSODIE and CABRI in Cadarache, SILOE in Grenoble. After a short introduction concerning features and problems in oxide fuel pin design, the paper describes the single experiments in some details, including the design of the experimental pins, the parameter variations within the test groups, the irradiation conditions, and also some characteristic results. In order to get an easy survey, a lot of tables combined w'ith schematic design drawings are presented. After that a nomographical synopsis indicates the regions of parameters covered. Finally conclusions are drawn concerning the experimental basis for asound reference oxide fuel pin design. Out of the body of present knowledge the future trends and needs in developmental effort are indicated.