{"title":"Feasibility study for the criticality calculations of the LEU+ with ATF fuels","authors":"Keon Il Cha, Seok Geun Cho, Kyoon Ho Cha","doi":"10.1016/j.net.2025.103619","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluates the criticality safety of Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF) and LEU+ (5–10 wt% U-235) in the APR-1400 spent fuel pool (Region 1) and new fuel storage vault (NFSV) using SCALE 6.3.1's CSAS6/KENO-VI module. It was confirmed that simply increasing fuel enrichment above 5 wt% significantly raises criticality risk. To solve this risk, neutron absorber plates should be added to existing storage racks. By adding absorbers, ATF enriched up to 8 wt% in Region 1 and 10 wt% in the NFSV remained safely subcritical. Compliance with NRC guidelines necessitates such absorber modifications, especially considering boron areal density, flux trap characteristics. Consequently, although higher enrichment elevates criticality risks, the proper design of absorber plates can ensure sufficient safety margins. These findings are expected to aid in designing and operating storage facilities for future adoption of LEU+ and ATF.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19272,"journal":{"name":"Nuclear Engineering and Technology","volume":"57 9","pages":"Article 103619"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6000,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Nuclear Engineering and Technology","FirstCategoryId":"5","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1738573325001871","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2025/4/2 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"NUCLEAR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
This study evaluates the criticality safety of Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF) and LEU+ (5–10 wt% U-235) in the APR-1400 spent fuel pool (Region 1) and new fuel storage vault (NFSV) using SCALE 6.3.1's CSAS6/KENO-VI module. It was confirmed that simply increasing fuel enrichment above 5 wt% significantly raises criticality risk. To solve this risk, neutron absorber plates should be added to existing storage racks. By adding absorbers, ATF enriched up to 8 wt% in Region 1 and 10 wt% in the NFSV remained safely subcritical. Compliance with NRC guidelines necessitates such absorber modifications, especially considering boron areal density, flux trap characteristics. Consequently, although higher enrichment elevates criticality risks, the proper design of absorber plates can ensure sufficient safety margins. These findings are expected to aid in designing and operating storage facilities for future adoption of LEU+ and ATF.
期刊介绍：
Nuclear Engineering and Technology (NET), an international journal of the Korean Nuclear Society (KNS), publishes peer-reviewed papers on original research, ideas and developments in all areas of the field of nuclear science and technology. NET bimonthly publishes original articles, reviews, and technical notes. The journal is listed in the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) of Thomson Reuters.
NET covers all fields for peaceful utilization of nuclear energy and radiation as follows:
1) Reactor Physics
2) Thermal Hydraulics
3) Nuclear Safety
4) Nuclear I&C
5) Nuclear Physics, Fusion, and Laser Technology
6) Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Radioactive Waste Management
7) Nuclear Fuel and Reactor Materials
8) Radiation Application
9) Radiation Protection
10) Nuclear Structural Analysis and Plant Management & Maintenance
11) Nuclear Policy, Economics, and Human Resource Development
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