Fast Traveling-Wave Reactor of the Channel Type

TL;DR

This paper presents a design for a fast traveling-wave reactor that manages neutron flux to protect fuel claddings from radiation damage, enabling safer operation of the reactor.

Contribution

It introduces a novel technical concept that controls fuel movement speed to maintain neutron flux, addressing fuel cladding radiation damage limits.

Findings

Developed a basic design for a uranium-plutonium TWR with a softened neutron spectrum.

Solved the problem of radiation resistance for fuel claddings.

Proposed a method to prevent fuel cladding damage exceeding 200 dpa.

Abstract

The main aim of this paper is to solve the technological problems of the TWR based on the technical concept described in our priority of invention reference, which makes it impossible, in particular, for the fuel claddings damaging doses of fast neutrons to excess the ~200 dpa limit. Thus the essence of the technical concept is to provide a given neutron flux at the fuel claddings by setting the appropriate speed of the fuel motion relative to the nuclear burning wave. The basic design of the fast uranium-plutonium nuclear traveling-wave reactor with a softened neutron spectrum is developed, which solves the problem of the radiation resistance of the fuel claddings material.