ML101740637

Fcix 2010: Evaluation of Using MOX Fuel in TVA Reactors (T Keys)

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: ML101740637
References
Download: ML101740637 (13)

Text

Evaluation of Using MOX Fuel in TVA Reactors Presented by TA Keys NRC Fuel Cycle Information Exchange 1

July 1, 2010

TVA TVA Nuclear Fleet Six operating reactors Combustion Turbine and One reactor under construction Green Power Nuclear Browns Ferry Units 1, 2, & 3 Hydro Fossil/Coal Watts Bar Unit 1 Unit 2 -

Under Construction Sequoyah Units 1 & 2 2

TVA and MOX Fuel In the exploratory stage of determining whether to use MOX fuel in reactors Decision will not occur until 2012 3

Fresh Fuel Isotopics Isotope Uranium Recycled fuel Recycled Fuel MOX Fuel Weapon MOX Fuel U-238 96% 91% 95%

U-235 4% 0.25% 0.25%

Ave assembly 0% 9% 4 3%

4.3%

Pu 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%

4

Recycled Fuel MOX Studies 2008 - TVA evaluated potential for using Sequoyah to burn MOX from recycled fuel as part of DOEs GNEP program 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.

5

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

- Rods currently under hot cell investigation at ORNL

3. TVA has extensive experience with DOE programs

- 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 6

Changes Needed PWR Enriched boron and related plant system changes Both PWRs and BWRs Securityy upgrades 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 7

Timeline of Current Initiative 2009

- TVA and Shaw/AREVA MOX Services sign a Letter of Intent 2010

- TVA and DOE sign an Interagency Agreement

- 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 8

Considerations Cons Pros Another issue to manage Fuel cost savings Fuel reliability challenge from unique manufacturing facility Consistent with TVA Act of demonstrating technology Additional coordination with DOE/IAEA/NRC Another fuel source for TVA reactors Plant modifications Increased security requirements 9

MFFF Key Milestones MOX Fuel Fab Facility (MFFF)

At DOE Savannah River Site 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 10

TVA Milestones BWR fuel cycle and safety analysis studies Ongoing DOE complete SEIS (TVA cooperating agency) 2012 Determine whether to go forward 2012 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 11

AREVA Milestones Develop Topical Reports for codes and methods to support MOX operation in BWRs and PWRs 2010 - 2012 Submit Topical Reports to NRC:

COPERNIC3 Fuel Performance Code 2011 BWR Fuel Codes & Methods 2012 PWR Fuel Codes & Methods 2012 12

Summary TVA is evaluating the potential for using down-blended MOX fuel in its nuclear reactors at Sequoyah and Browns Ferry Ferry.

A decision on whether TVA will go forward with MOX fuel is expected in 2012.

13