Research program on plutonium recycle utilization in light water reactors undertaken at JPDR and TCA of JAERI

The recycled utilization of Pu produced in light water reactors is expected to become a prominent problem in the period from 1975 to 1990. While Pu utilization in light water reactors has been confirmed to be technically feasible in basic principle, practical application will still require prior solution of a number of problems. Of such problems, the most important in the domain related to reactor core characteristics include the accurate evaluation of the reaction rate in the fuel rod and of the power distribution in irregular lattices, as well as burnup systematics. Further detailed and accurate measurements and analyses must be performed on these problems through examination of burnup histories. A series of experimental and analytical studies using JPDR (Japan Power Demonstration Reactor) and TCA (Tank-type Critical Assembly) at the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute is being planned for gaining information on the characteristics of PuO₂-UO₂ fuel assemblies and core, and as preliminary tests on fuels to precede their practical utilization in large power reactors. (author)