Program for qualifying CNEA (National Atomic Energy Commission) as a manufacturer of low enriched uranium silicide fuels

Full text: This report presents the program for the production and irradiation of a low enriched uranium (LEU) fuel element containing a dispersion of U3Si2 particles in an Al matrix, with a total uranium content of 4.8 g/cm3. The project is being carried out by the Nuclear Fuels Department of the National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA) of Argentina and aims at qualifying our organization as manufacturer of LEU fuel elements for research reactors. The program involves the design, fissile material production, components fabrication and inspection, assembly, irradiation and postirradiation tests of two prototypes. The meat will be a dispersion of U3Si2 in an Al matrix with a total uranium content of 4.8 g/cm3. The irradiations will be performed at the RA-3. The first prototype is conceived in such a way to facilitate the posterior disassembly and PIE examinations. The second one will have the design of the future normal fuel elements of the RA-3. This project relies on the experience in CNEA in the production of standard fuel elements for the RA-3 and of uranium silicide mini plates successfully tested at the Oak Ridge Research Reactor within the RERTR program (Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactors). Important investments have already been made in the installations for fuel elements production and PIE