Preliminary physics design of multipurpose nuclear powerpack

BARC is developing technologies for nuclear reactor system that can supply electricity in remote areas not connected to the grid system. In addition to 100 kWth CHTR a larger power compact nuclear power pack (NPP) design is in the fledgling phase. This will be operating at moderator temperature of 525 degC with a power of 5 MWth. Fuel is in metallic (233U, 232Th, Zr) form and the core of the reactor is based on tri-angular lattice arrangement with a core height of 100 cm. Reactor physics calculations were carried out to estimate lattice pitch and mass of the fuel required for a core life of around 15 years. It was found that for 14.0 cm pitch, fuel requirement is 42.068 Kg 233U (enrichment 20%) and 147.238 kg 232Th. Control rods worth at hot and cold conditions and fuel temperature coefficient were also computed. (author)