Safety analyses at the high flux isotope reactor (HFIR) are required to qualify irradiation of production targets containing neptunium dioxide/aluminum cermet (NpO2/Al) pellets for the production of plutonium-238 (238Pu). High heat generation rates (HGRs) due to a fertile starting material (237Np), low melting temperatures, and previously unstudied material irradiation behavior (i.e., swelling/densification, fission gas release) require a sophisticated set of steady-state thermal simulations in order to ensure sufficient safety margins. Experience gained from previous models for preliminary target designs is incorporated into a more comprehensive production target model designed to qualify a target for three cycles of irradiation and illuminate potential in-reactor behavior of the target.
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April 2019
Research-Article
Thermomechanical Safety Analyses for a 238Pu Production Target at the HFIR
Christopher J. Hurt,
Christopher J. Hurt
Research Reactors Division,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
P. O. Box 2008,
Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6399
e-mail: hurtcj@ornl.gov
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
P. O. Box 2008,
Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6399
e-mail: hurtcj@ornl.gov
Search for other works by this author on:
James D. Freels,
James D. Freels
Research Reactors Division,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
P. O. Box 2008,
Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6399
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
P. O. Box 2008,
Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6399
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Prashant K. Jain,
Prashant K. Jain
Reactor and Nuclear Systems Division,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
Oak Ridge, TN 37831
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
Oak Ridge, TN 37831
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G. Ivan Maldonado
G. Ivan Maldonado
Department of Nuclear Engineering,
University of Tennessee,
Knoxville, TN 37996-2300
University of Tennessee,
Knoxville, TN 37996-2300
Search for other works by this author on:
Christopher J. Hurt
Research Reactors Division,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
P. O. Box 2008,
Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6399
e-mail: hurtcj@ornl.gov
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
P. O. Box 2008,
Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6399
e-mail: hurtcj@ornl.gov
James D. Freels
Research Reactors Division,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
P. O. Box 2008,
Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6399
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
P. O. Box 2008,
Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6399
Prashant K. Jain
Reactor and Nuclear Systems Division,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
Oak Ridge, TN 37831
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
Oak Ridge, TN 37831
G. Ivan Maldonado
Department of Nuclear Engineering,
University of Tennessee,
Knoxville, TN 37996-2300
University of Tennessee,
Knoxville, TN 37996-2300
1Corresponding author.
Manuscript received July 12, 2016; final manuscript received August 17, 2018; published online March 15, 2019. Assoc. Editor: Jay F. Kunze. The United States Government retains, and by accepting the article for publication, the publisher acknowledges that the United States Government retains, a nonexclusive, paid-up, irrevocable, worldwide license to publish or reproduce the published form of this work, or allow others to do so, for United States government purposes.
ASME J of Nuclear Rad Sci. Apr 2019, 5(2): 021004 (15 pages)
Published Online: March 15, 2019
Article history
Received:
July 12, 2016
Revised:
August 17, 2018
Citation
Hurt, C. J., Freels, J. D., Jain, P. K., and Ivan Maldonado, G. (March 15, 2019). "Thermomechanical Safety Analyses for a 238Pu Production Target at the HFIR." ASME. ASME J of Nuclear Rad Sci. April 2019; 5(2): 021004. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4041295
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