Development of IRT-type fuel assembly with pin-type fuel elements for LEU conversion of WWR-SM research reactor in Uzbekistan

The principle design of an IRT-type FA with pin-type fuel elements has been developed. This work is being conducted in two main directions: 1. technological research on fabrication of FA as a whole and of its constituent parts; 2. calculational research on substantiation of IRT-type FE and FA designs with regard to the WWR-SM reactor (Uzbekistan). At present, large set of technological investigations of FE and FA fabrication processes and large set of neutronics, thermal hydraulic and strength calculations has been performed. These research of FE and FA design are being performed in close cooperation with NZChK, ANL and RRC KI within Russian and international RERTR programs. The dispersion fuel U-9%Mo in Al matrix is chosen. The optimum U-235/FA loading is de-fined. Two full-scaled dummy of FA for hydraulic tests have been manufactured jointly by Bochvar Institute and Novosibirsk plant (NZChK). Preliminary results of joint studies are presented in paper. (author)