Structural design of neptunium-bearing assembly for transmutation research

To study the irradiation performance of the long-life nuclide and to lay a foundation for the 'separation-transmutation' advanced fuel cycle technology, an experimental neptunium-bearing assembly is designed on the basis of the standard fuel assembly of CEFR. In this paper, design principles and structure of the experimental neptunium-bearing assembly are explained in detail. The design analysis and validation are briefly introduced. The design of the experimental assembly can meet the demand of irradiation test. Up to now, the out-of-pile hydraulic test is under way and the manufacture of the assembly is nearly completed. It is to be irradiated in the first row of stainless steel reflector assemblies for about 240 effective full power days. (authors)