Development of Fuel for Research Reactors

Abstract

The different stages in the development of fuel for research reactors are analyzed. Validation is given for high-density fuel based on the alloy U–9Mo for the fuel elements of swimming-pool type research reactors. Two effective methods of increasing the radiation resistance of the fuel composition, comprised of high-density uranium-molybdenum fuel in an aluminum matrix, have been developed and experimentally corroborated. Reactor and post-reactor studies of mini fuel elements and full-size fuel assemblies with uranium-molybdenum fuel have been completed and show this fuel to be serviceable.