Fuel rods for nuclear reactor fuel assemblies and methods of manufacturing thereof

摘要

A fuel rod for a nuclear reactor includes the fuel rod having a first axial zone positioned proximate to a bottom end, a second axial zone positioned adjacent to the first axial zone in the intermediate region, and a third axial zone positioned proximate to a top end. The first axial zone has an enrichment greater than the second axial zone and the second axial zone has an enrichment greater than or equal to the third axial zone. Also includes fuel assemblies having a plurality of fuel rods and methods of designing and manufacturing of fuel rods and fuel assemblies.

主权项

1. A fuel rod for a nuclear reactor having a bottom end, a top end, and an intermediate region located between the bottom end and the top end, comprising:
a first axial zone positioned proximate to the bottom end; a second axial zone positioned adjacent to the first axial zone in the intermediate region; and a third axial zone positioned proximate to the top end, wherein the first axial zone has an enrichment greater than the second axial zone and the second axial zone has an enrichment greater than or equal to the third axial zone, the first axial zone, the second axial zone, and the third axial zone having different levels of at least one of average enrichment and average gadolinium doping, wherein enrichments for each of the first, second, and third axial zones is uniformly distributed axially within each axial zone.