IVV-2M fuel assembly

A design of an improved fuel assembly (FA) of the IVV-2 water cooled and moderated research reactor is described. The results of neutron-physical, thermal hydraulic and post-reactor studies of fuel assemblies are presented. The FA consists of five hollow three-layer hexagonal fuel elements with cermet fuel (uranium dioxide dispersed in an aluminium matrix). An aluminium alloy is used for the fuel can. In view of the change-over to the new FA the IVV-2M reactor power has increased 1.5 times (up to 15 MW), that has considerably widened its experimental potentialities. The maximum therma neutron flux density has reached 5x1014 cm-2 x s-1