Cermet fuels for advanced fuel cycles and transmutation
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abstract
Zirconium matrix cermet fuels have applications in advanced nuclear fuel cycles and transmutation schemes, The zirconium matrix provides fuel and fission product containment, high thermal conductivity, and corrosion resistance. The application of Zr-matrix cermets was recently evaluated for use with a thorium fuel cycle. With minimal manipulation, a high burnup of 100 GWD/t was predicted for a tight-lattice boiling water reactor. Further, an essentially flat reactivity swing was created with the addition of burnable poisons within the cermet matrix, Cermet technology is also under consideration as a fuel/target for actinide burning in a fast reactor.