乏燃料中钚同位素比例对MOX燃料快堆堆芯特性参数的影响

Study on Impact of Plutonium Isotopic Ratios in Spent Fuel on Core Characteristic Parameters of MOX-Fueled Fast Reactors

  • 摘要: MOX(混合铀钚)燃料中钚同位素比例对大型钠冷快堆的堆芯参数存在一定影响,本文选取几种典型以乏燃料组件为原料的MOX堆芯方案,计算分析不同钚同位素比例快堆堆芯方案的关键参数,包括功率分布、反应性效应(温度及功率效应、钠空泡效应、燃耗反应性效应和多普勒效应)以及控制棒价值。计算结果表明,MOX燃料组件所使用的回收钚中钚同位素占比对堆芯有一定影响,随着钚同位素中易裂变核占比降低,反应堆的温度、功率、多普勒等负反馈效应随之减弱,钠空泡效应增强,其增幅介于10.96%~33.15%之间,功率分布以及控制棒价值基本保持不变。整体上,MOX燃料组件中回收钚的钚同位素比例对堆芯的影响均在可接受范围内,对于采用不同乏燃料组件作为原料的MOX燃料,快堆均可实现有效利用,但为更好利用回收钚,在实际应用中应尽可能选择具有易裂变核素239Pu和241Pu含量较高的回收钚所制的MOX燃料。

     

    Abstract: The plutonium (Pu) isotopic composition in mixed uranium-plutonium oxide (MOX) fuel significantly influences the core parameters of large sodium-cooled fast reactors (SFRs). Multiple representative MOX core configurations derived from spent fuel assemblies were selected as feedstock. The fast reactor core neutronics optimization code CoreEasy was employed to adjust fuel enrichment, followed by detailed analysis using the 3D hexagonal nodal code NAS to evaluate key parameters of SFR cores with varying Pu isotopic ratios. These parameters include power distribution (axial/radial power profiles, maximum linear power density, and power peaking factors), reactivity effects (temperature coefficient, power coefficient, sodium void reactivity, burnup reactivity loss, and Doppler effect), and control rod worth. Computational results indicate that the isotopic composition of recycled Pu in MOX fuel moderately impacts core behavior. Specifically, a reduction in the fissile isotope fraction (239Pu and 241Pu) weakens negative feedback mechanisms, such as temperature, power, and Doppler effects, though the magnitude of this attenuation remains limited. Concurrently, sodium void reactivity exhibits a significant increase of 10.96% to 33.15%, driven by neutron spectrum hardening and reduced neutron leakage during sodium density perturbations. In contrast, power distribution profiles (both axial and radial) and control rod worth demonstrate negligible variations across all configurations, confirming their stability.From a safety perspective, higher fissile isotope content (239Pu and 241Pu) enhances beneficial reactivity effects (excluding burnup reactivity), thereby improving inherent safety margins. Power distribution and control rod worth remain largely unaffected by isotopic variations, posing no additional safety risks. Overall, the influence of Pu isotopic ratios on core performance falls within acceptable operational limits, validating the feasibility of utilizing MOX fuels produced from diverse spent fuel precursors in SFRs through optimized core loading arrangements. However, to maximize safety and utilization efficiency, practical applications should prioritize MOX fuels fabricated from recycled Pu enriched in fissile isotopes (e.g., 239Pu and 241Pu). This strategy optimizes negative feedback characteristics while mitigating sodium void reactivity risks, ensuring compliance with stringent safety criteria for maintaining a negative void coefficient. The study underscores the adaptability of fast reactors to heterogeneous Pu isotopic compositions, and provided critical thresholds for fissile isotope content are maintained.

     

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