METHOD FOR NUCLEAR REACTOR OPERATION AND APPLICATION OF SPECIAL ROD SHELL ALLOY FOR REDUCTION OF DAMAGE CAUSED BY INTERACTION BETWEEN PELLETS AND SHELL Russian patent published in 2008 - IPC G21C3/07 

FIELD: physics, nuclear physics.

SUBSTANCE: method of nuclear reactor operation involves loading active zone with assemblies containing nuclear fuel rods. At least one nuclear fuel rod includes: shell and nuclear fuel pellets based on uranium oxide. Shell is made of completely recrystallised zirconium-based alloy. Weight content of the alloy includes from 0.8 to 1.3% of niobium and from 1000 to 1700 parts per million of oxygen, from 0 to 35 parts per million of sulfur, from 0 to 7000 parts per million of iron and chrome and/or vanadium together, from 0 to 2% of tin, from 0 to 70 parts per million of nickel, from 0 to 100 parts per million of carbon, and from 0 to 50 parts per million of silicon. The rest is zirconium, not including inevitable impurities. Pellets are loaded to the shell in column pattern. Reactor operation is controlled by following method: during power transition linear power density of nuclear fuel rod remain lower than boundary linear power density. Boundary linear power density is over 430 W/cm. Linear power density adjustment of nuclear fuel rod remains lower boundary change value. Boundary adjustment exceeds 180 W/cm.

EFFECT: reduced risk of fuel rod shell disruption and enhanced flexibility of reactor operation.

19 cl, 6 dwg