Nuclear Reactor Materials and Fuels.pdf

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Encyclopedia of Physical Science and Technology EN010D-498 July 19, 2001 20:2
Nuclear Reactor Materials
and Fuels
Massoud T. Simnad
University of California, San Diego
I. Summary of Nuclear Reactor Materials
and Fuels
II. Nuclear Fuel Element Development
III. Nuclear Fuel Cycle
IV. Preparation and Properties of Nuclear Fuels
V. Fuel Element Design and Operation
VI. Fuel Element Experience in Power Reactors
VII. Neutron Moderator Materials
VIII. Reactor Control Materials
IX. Structural Materials
GLOSSARY∗ Burnable poison High-cross-section neutron absorber
material blended with reactor fuel or cladding that is
Alpha emitter Element with a nucleus that loses excess gradually changed to a low-cross-section material un-
energy by spontaneously releasing an alpha particle, der neutron radiation.
which is a positively charged helium ion. Burnup Measure of the number of fissionable atoms that
Beta decay Mode of radioactive decay in which a beta have undergone fission. It is usually expressed as the
particle (electron or positron) is emitted from a nucleus. atomic percent of the total uranium atoms that have
Blanket Fertile or largely fertile material surrounding fissioned in the fuel, as megawatt-days of energy gen-
the cores of certain types of reactors, usually breeder erated per ton of uranium, or as gigajoules of energy
reactors. per kg of uranium. Other definitions include
Breeder reactor Nuclear reactor that produces more fis- or atomic percent of fissions per total atoms present in
sionable atoms than it consumes; this is done by trans- the fuel.
muting fertile material into fissionable material. Cladding Protective material surrounding the fuel that
∗From Kaufman, A. R., ed. (1962). “Nuclear Fuel Elements,” Wiley, acts as a barrier between the fuel and the coolant med-
New York. ium and also prevents escape of the fission products.
. 775
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