Optimization of Hydride Fueled Pressurized Water Reactor Cores
Author | : Carter Alexander Shuffler |
Publisher | : |
Total Pages | : 454 |
Release | : 2004 |
ISBN-10 | : OCLC:64393497 |
ISBN-13 | : |
Rating | : 4/5 (97 Downloads) |
Book excerpt: (cont.) With these results, and the output from the steady-state thermal hydraulic analysis with vibrations and wear imposed design limits, an economics model is employed to determine the optimal geometries for incorporation into existing PWRs. The model also provides a basis for comparing the performance of UZrH1.6 to UO2 for a range of core geometries. Though this analysis focuses only on these fuels, the methodology can easily be extended to additional hydride and oxide fuel types, and will be in the future. Results presented herein do not show significant cost savings for UZrH1.6, primarily because the power and energy generation per core loading for both fuels are similar. Furthermore, the most economic geometries typically do not occur where power increases are reported by the thermal hydraulics. As a final note, the economic results in this report require revision to account for recent changes in the fuel performance analysis methodology. The changes, however, are not expected to influence the overall conclusion that UZrH1.6 does not outperform UO2 economically.