Use of isotopically enriched nitride in actinide fuel in nuclear reactors

Abstract

The present invention provides a nuclear fuel comprising an actinide nitride such as uranium nitride, suitable for use in nuclear reactors, including those based substantially on thermal fission, such as light and heavy water or gas-cooled nuclear reactors. The fuel contains nitrogen which has been isotopically enriched to at least about 50% 15 N, most preferably above 95%. The fuel can be in theform of particles, pellets, in annular form or other forms having high surface to volume ratios.

Description

field of invention [0001] The invention relates to the field of nuclear fuel for nuclear power plants. In particular, fuels comprising actinide nitrides suitable for use in rheum and heavy water or gas cooled nuclear reactors are provided. The fuel comprises isotopically enriched to at least about 50% 15 N nitrogen. Background technique [0002] In a typical nuclear reactor, such as a pressurized water reactor (PWR), heavy water or boiling water reactor (BWR), the reactor core contains a large number of nuclear fuel assemblies, each of which is composed of a plurality of elongated fuel elements or rods. Each fuel rod contains, for example, uranium oxide (UO 2 ), but fuel in the form of rings or pellets is also used. The fuel rods are grouped together in an organized array to provide a neutron flux in the core sufficient to support high rates of nuclear fission, releasing enormous amounts of energy in the form of heat. Coolant, such as water or gas, is pumped through the...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

That is, an increase in enrichment from 4% to 5% increases the cost for uranium by more than 25%