New core configurations for the IPEN/CNEN-SP IEA-R1 research reactor using higher density fuels

This study was performed considering prospective candidates for the lEA-R1 research reactor core. Some neutronic calculations were developed in order to pick up a new core configuration and push forward the thermal-hydraulic and safety analysis. The current IEA- R1 core configuration is a 5x5 (5MW) using U₃O₈-AI and U₃Si₂-Al as fuels, containing, respectively, 2.3 gU/cm³ and 3.0 gU/cm³. The new core configuration will be smaller for several reasons (e.g., better fuel utilization and neutron fluxes). In order to achieve such a smaller arrangement, the U-fuel density has to be increased. In the current study, configurations with 4.8gU/cm³ U₃Si₂-Al fuels were tested using the software MCNP and a set of new core configurations for the lPEN/CNEN-SP research reactor has been created and discussed. (author)