Atom Indonesia
Vol 51, No 1 (2025): APRIL 2025

Preliminary Neutronic Studies on RSG-GAS Fuel Element with 4.8 grU/cc and Burnable Poison Wire for Reactivity Reduction

Luthfi, W. (Unknown)
Setiadipura, T. (Unknown)
Su’ud, Z. (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
20 Mar 2025

Abstract

High-density fuel can increase the operating cycle of a nuclear reactor. The G.A. Siwabessy Multipurpose Reactor (RSG-GAS) is a research reactor owned by Indonesia that currently uses 19.75 % enriched uranium silicide fuel (U3Si2-Al) with a uranium density of 2.965 grU/cc. Previous studies have shown that high-density fuel, 4.8 grU/cc, can be used in the RSG-GAS core to extend the operating cycle. Previous studies related to high-density fuel conversion scenarios included a temporary conversion process to a density of 3.55 grU/cc before being increased to 4.8 grU/cc. However, the previous conversion process requires the addition of control rods to suppress the excess reactivity of the RSG-GAS. The current study focuses on determining the configuration of burnable poison wire for the standard fuel element of RSG-GAS (FE) made of cadmium and hafnium to suppress the reactivity (k-inf) of the 4.8 grU/cc fuel element so it could have an initial reactivity closer to the 2.965 grU/cc fuel. 5 pairs of 0.4 mm diameter Cd-wire coated with 0.1 mm AlMg2 cladding can suppress the reactivity of the fuel assembly, while 7 pairs of 0.8 mm diameter Hf-wire without cladding could suppress reactivity longer. The temperature coefficient of reactivity for the moderator temperature (MTC) and fuel temperature (FTC) also becomes more negative in high-density FE RSG-GAS while the amount of Pu-239 produced increases in high-density fuel element.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

aij

Publisher

Subject

Energy Physics

Description

Atom Indonesia is dedicated to publishing and disseminating the results of research and development in nuclear science and technology. The scope of this journal covers experimental and analytical research in nuclear science and technology. The topics include nuclear physics, reactor physics, ...