ARDS-2017-715-052

Burnup Behavior of Fully Ceramic Micro-encapsulated Duplex Fuel in LWR Based Small Modular Reactors: A Neutronic Study

Author: Minhajur Rahman (2017-715-052)

Status: Done

Abstract: A novel Fully Ceramic Micro-encapsulated (FCM) duplex fuel design is proposed in this research work for LWR-based Small Modular Reactors that are expected to be deployed in near future. The FCM duplex is a two-layered fuel kernel design of UN surrounded by ThN layer in TRISO particles embedded in the SiC matrix. The combination of FCM and the duplex concept makes FCM duplex fuel a thorium-based accident-tolerant fuel element.

In this study, a neutronic study with burnup analysis of this type of fuel was analyzed creating a heterogenous seed-blanket core configuration model using Monte Carlo Code OpenMC. The study targeted better fuel burnup with less amount of fissile and heavy metal loading. Necessary neutronic parameters were calculated with burnup in that regard. The results of the analysis were then compared to results generated from a similar analysis done on a reference LWR-based SMR reactor.

The comparative analysis showed a doubling in maximum achievable cycle burnup by FCM duplex in the same power operation and a longer cycle length for low power density operation. Besides, the fuel maintained a constant flux and power profile with stable operation and achieved efficient fuel utilization. Low transuranic production is found for FCM duplex making it a proliferation-resistant fuel. The burden of nuclear waste is also reduced due to less minor actinides and long-lived fission production.

Publications: (TBA)