Some advantages of nuclear fuel in spherical form for nuclear power plants

This paper presents the pre-eminent features of a new generation of nuclear reactors in comparison with existing generations, such as safety operation, non-release of radioactive materials into the environment under any conditions, non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, and suitability for developing countries. The paper also presents some results on the physical features related to fuel burn-up, the conversion ratio of fuel, and the temperature coefficient of reactivity for a reactor with spherical fuel elements composed of coated particles.

Keywords: cladding, core lifetime, core limiter, FBNR, fuel chambers, IAEA, reactor vessels, reserve reactivity, spherical fuel elements, suspended core, water layer, nuclear power plants, nuclear energy, developing countries, nuclear safety, fuel burn-up, fuel conversion ratio, nuclear fuel, reactivity temperature coefficient