Close

14.10.2022

THE FULL-SCALE EXPERIMENTS FOR THE IGR FUEL DOWN-BLENDING CONDUCTED UNDER RRRER PROGRAM

Within the framework of the IGR research reactor conversion, which are conducted in comply with a contract with  Battelle Energy Alliance LLC (BEA, LLC) and  the Global Initiative to reduce the nuclear threat and non-proliferation of nuclear materials through the elimination of highly enriched uranium, on October 10 – 13, 2022, at the IAE Branch RSE NNC RK, a technical meeting has been held with representatives of BEA, LLC – Chris Gaines (Oak Ridge National Laboratory, USA) and Kenneth Bateman (Idaho National Laboratory, USA).

During this period, two full-scale experiments have been conducted to test the technology developed at the NNC RK for down-blending and immobilization of irradiated uranium-graphite IGR fuel and three on-line technical meetings have been held for discussing the experiments’ results with Igor Bolshinsky, the RRRFR Program Manager.  

The experiments were aimed at testing the modes of producing a matrix based on fly ash and Portland cement, providing that properties of the matrix correspond the required characteristics in terms of physical and mechanical properties, and stability under conditions of change in storage environment.

The first experiment was methodical in nature – matrix component mixing modes were tested. In the second experiment, down-blending and immobilization technology were tested using fresh, low-enriched uranium-graphite IGR fuel. Compliance of the resulting matrix with the acceptance criteria (strength, structural homogeneity, uniformity of fuel distribution over the matrix volume, etc.) will be checked during subsequent material research.