ML101740637
| ML101740637 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Browns Ferry, Watts Bar, Sequoyah  |
| Issue date: | 07/01/2010 |
| From: | Tennessee Valley Authority |
| To: | Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards |
| cxg7, wcm1, tvh1, txr5 | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML101740088 | List: |
| References | |
| Download: ML101740637 (13) | |
Text
Evaluation of Using MOX Fuel in TVA Reactors 1
July 1, 2010 Presented by TA Keys NRC Fuel Cycle Information Exchange
TVA Nuclear Fleet Six operating reactors One reactor under construction TVA Nuclear Combustion Turbine and Green Power 2
Hydro Fossil/Coal Browns Ferry Units 1, 2, & 3 Sequoyah Units 1 & 2 Watts Bar Unit 1 Unit 2 -
Under Construction
In the exploratory stage of determining whether to use MOX fuel in reactors TVA and MOX Fuel 3
whether to use MOX fuel in reactors Decision will not occur until 2012
Fresh Fuel Isotopics Isotope Uranium Fuel Recycled fuel MOX Fuel Recycled Weapon MOX Fuel U-238 96%
91%
95%
U-235 4%
0.25%
0.25%
Ave assembly 0%
9%
4 3%
4 Ave assembly Pu 0%
9%
4.3%
Pu-238 0%
1%
0%
Pu-239 0%
57%
94%
Pu-240 0%
27%
5%
Pu-241 0%
8%
<1%
Pu-242 0%
7%
<<1%
Recycled Fuel MOX Studies 2008 - TVA evaluated potential for using Sequoyah to burn MOX from recycled fuel as part of DOEs GNEP program 5
2009 - TVA evaluated burning MOX from recycled used nuclear fuel in U.S. reactors as part of a qualification plan for using MOX fuel in the U.S.
Weapons MOX Background
- 1. Weapons Pu into MOX
- DOE decided best way to disposition plutonium is in MOX fuel
- 2. Duke involvement
- Demonstration assemblies completed 2nd cycle at Catawba when excessive growth caused them to be discharged 6
- Rods currently under hot cell investigation at ORNL
- Blended Low Enriched Uranium (BLEU) program
- Tritium production program in TVAs Watts Bar reactor 4.
Use of MOX from weapons must stand on its own for TVA to go forward - also a potential stepping stone to the use of MOX from used fuel
Changes Needed PWR Enriched boron and related plant system changes Both PWRs and BWRs Security upgrades 7
y pg 9 Enhanced parking for security vehicles 9 Additional security training 9 DOE L security clearances for site personnel 9 Plant changes for IAEA monitoring 9 More secure transport of fuel to the site Enhanced public communication Training on physics of MOX fuel cycle for utility personnel
Timeline of Current Initiative 2009
- TVA and Shaw/AREVA MOX Services sign a Letter of Intent 2010
- TVA and DOE sign an Interagency Agreement 8
- TVA contracts with AREVA for BWR fuel cycle study
- DOE will issue Notice of Intent to Supplement the EIS (SEIS) on the MOX Program
- DOE will hold SEIS scoping meeting seeking public input 2011
- DOE will complete SEIS with TVA as cooperating agency
Considerations Cons Another issue to manage Fuel reliability challenge from unique manufacturing facility Pros Fuel cost savings 9
unique manufacturing facility Additional coordination with DOE/IAEA/NRC Plant modifications Increased security requirements Consistent with TVA Act of demonstrating technology Another fuel source for TVA reactors
MFFF Key Milestones MOX Fuel Fab Facility (MFFF)
At DOE Savannah River Site Start MFFF construction 8/2007 10 Start MFFF construction 8/2007 End of construction 2015 End of cold startup 2016 Begin hot startup (Pu in plant) 2016 Complete first 8 MOX fuel assemblies 2018
TVA Milestones BWR fuel cycle and safety analysis studies Ongoing DOE complete SEIS (TVA cooperating agency) 2012 Determine whether to go forward 2012 11 If decision is to go forward, Develop licensing and communications plans 2012 Develop PWR and BWR plant mods 2012 LARs to NRC on plant mods 2014 Make mods to plants 2017-2018 Take delivery of first 8 MOX BWR fuel assemblies 2018
AREVA Milestones Develop Topical Reports for codes and methods to support MOX operation in BWRs and PWRs 2010 - 2012 Submit Topical Reports to NRC:
12 COPERNIC3 Fuel Performance Code 2011 BWR Fuel Codes & Methods 2012 PWR Fuel Codes & Methods 2012
Summary TVA is evaluating the potential for using down-blended MOX fuel in its nuclear reactors at Sequoyah and Browns Ferry 13 at Sequoyah and Browns Ferry.
A decision on whether TVA will go forward with MOX fuel is expected in 2012.