Optimizing the use of gadolinium as burnable poison in nuclear fuel: towards a boron free PWR
Reactivity excess in Nuclear Power Plants is controlled by reactor's active systems: boric acid dilution and control rods. Alternatively, negative reactivity insertion can be made in a passive way using burnable poisons, i.e. neutron absorbers, this is the case of gadolinium (Gd). In the industrial framework of U²³⁵ enrichment increase and boric acid restraint, the goal of this thesis is to optimize the distribution of gadolinium in UO₂ ceramics to obtain a high-performance provision of negative reactivity in Pressurized Water Reactors. In this sense, the work is focus on new gadolinium-rich materials. Thus, U-Gd-O phase diagram was explored in the field of high Gd contents. Two cubic phases were found and characterized: the C1 and C2 phases. With the aim of an industrial application, C1 phase was selected as candidate for Gd addition into UO₂ pellets. The optimal distribution of C1 phase within a nuclear fuel assembly was studied using APOLLO 2.8 neutron transport code. Parametrical calculations were performed. These neutronic studies have ended in a successful "concept of poisoned pellet". Finally, some prototype pellets following this concept were made in laboratory to proof it feasibility. All the obtained results shows that the proposed concept of a neutrophage C1-phase coating on UO₂ pellets is a convenient way to reduce reactivity excess within the frame-work of long irradiation cycles. This concept could be potentially applied in industrial scale. Consequently a patent application process was initiated.