Nuclear fuel containing recycled and depleted uranium, and nuclear fuel bundle and nuclear reactor comprising same

Abstract

Fuel bundles for a nuclear reactor are described and illustrated, and in some cases includes fuel elements each having a first fuel component of recycled uranium; and a second fuel component of at least one of depleted uranium and natural uranium blended with the first fuel component, wherein the blended first and second fuel components have a first fissile content of less than 1.2 wt % of 235 U. Other fuel bundles are also described and illustrated, and include a first fuel element including recycled uranium, the first fuel element having a first fissile content of no less than 0.72 wt % of 235 U; and a second fuel element including at least one of depleted uranium and natural uranium, the second fuel element having a second fissile content of no greater than 0.71 wt % of 235 U.

1 - 80 . (canceled) 
     
     
         81 . A fuel bundle for a nuclear reactor, the fuel bundle comprising:
 a plurality of fuel elements each including
 a first fuel component of recycled uranium; and 
 a second fuel component of at least one of depleted uranium and natural uranium blended with the first fuel component, 
 wherein the blended first and second fuel components have a first fissile content of less than 1.2 wt % of  235 U. 
   
     
     
         82 . The fuel bundle of  claim 81 , wherein the plurality of fuel elements includes a ring of six substantially parallel tubes each containing the blend of the first and second fuel components. 
     
     
         83 . The fuel bundle of  claim 82 , wherein the second fuel component comprises depleted uranium. 
     
     
         84 . The fuel bundle of  claim 82 , wherein the second fuel component comprises natural uranium having a fissile content of approximately 0.71 wt % of  235 U. 
     
     
         85 . The fuel bundle of  claim 81 , wherein the plurality of fuel elements is a first plurality of fuel elements, the fuel bundle further comprising a second plurality of fuel elements forming a ring around the first plurality of fuel elements. 
     
     
         86 . The fuel bundle of  claim 85 , wherein the second plurality of fuel elements includes natural uranium having a fissile content of approximately 0.71 wt % of  235 U. 
     
     
         87 . The fuel bundle of  claim 85 , wherein the second plurality of fuel elements includes a blend of recycled uranium and depleted uranium. 
     
     
         88 . The fuel bundle of  claim 87 , wherein a fissile content of the blend of recycled uranium and depleted uranium in the second plurality of fuel elements is greater than the first fissile content. 
     
     
         89 . The fuel bundle of  claim 85 , wherein the second plurality of fuel elements includes twelve substantially parallel tubes positioned radially outward from the first plurality of fuel elements. 
     
     
         90 . The fuel bundle of  claim 85 , further comprising a third plurality of fuel elements forming a ring around the second plurality of fuel elements. 
     
     
         91 . The fuel bundle of  claim 90 , wherein the third plurality of fuel elements includes natural uranium having a fissile content of approximately 0.71 wt % of  235 U. 
     
     
         92 . The fuel bundle of  claim 90 , wherein the third plurality of fuel elements includes a blend of recycled uranium and depleted uranium. 
     
     
         93 . The fuel bundle of  claim 92 , wherein a fissile content of the blend of recycled uranium and depleted uranium in the third plurality of fuel elements is greater than a fissile content of the blend of recycled uranium and depleted uranium in the second plurality of fuel elements. 
     
     
         94 . The fuel bundle of  claim 90 , wherein the third plurality of fuel elements includes eighteen substantially parallel tubes positioned radially outward from the second plurality of fuel elements. 
     
     
         95 . The fuel bundle of  claim 81 , further comprising a central element located at the center of the fuel bundle. 
     
     
         96 . The fuel bundle of  claim 95 , wherein the central element includes depleted uranium. 
     
     
         97 . The fuel bundle of  claim 95 , wherein the central element includes a blend of depleted uranium and a burnable poison. 
     
     
         98 . The fuel bundle of  claim 95 , wherein the central element includes a blend of recycled uranium and depleted uranium. 
     
     
         99 . The fuel bundle of  claim 98 , wherein a fissile content of the blend of recycled uranium and depleted uranium of the central element is less than the first fissile content. 
     
     
         100 . The fuel bundle of  claim 81 , wherein the plurality of fuel elements includes a ring of seven substantially parallel tubes each containing the blend of the first and second fuel components. 
     
     
         101 . The fuel bundle of  claim 100 , wherein the plurality of fuel elements is a first plurality of fuel elements, the fuel bundle further comprising a second plurality of fuel elements located radially outward from the first plurality of fuel elements. 
     
     
         102 . The fuel bundle of  claim 101 , wherein the second plurality of fuel elements includes natural uranium having a fissile content of approximately 0.71 wt % of  235 U. 
     
     
         103 . The fuel bundle of  claim 101 , wherein the second plurality of fuel elements includes a blend of recycled uranium and depleted uranium. 
     
     
         104 . The fuel bundle of  claim 103 , wherein a fissile content of the blend of recycled uranium and depleted uranium in the second plurality of fuel elements is greater than the first fissile content. 
     
     
         105 . The fuel bundle of  claim 101 , wherein the second plurality of fuel elements includes fourteen parallel tubes positioned radially outward from first plurality of fuel elements. 
     
     
         106 . The fuel bundle of  claim 101 , wherein at least one of the second plurality of fuel elements is different in cross-sectional size than that of at least one of the first plurality of fuel elements. 
     
     
         107 . The fuel bundle of  claim 101 , further comprising a third plurality of fuel elements forming a ring around the second plurality of fuel elements. 
     
     
         108 . The fuel bundle of  claim 107 , wherein the third plurality of fuel elements includes natural uranium having a fissile content of approximately 0.71 wt % of  235 U. 
     
     
         109 . The fuel bundle of  claim 107 , wherein the third plurality of fuel elements includes a blend of recycled uranium and depleted uranium. 
     
     
         110 . The fuel bundle of  claim 109 , wherein a fissile content of the third plurality of fuel elements is greater than a fissile content of the second plurality of fuel elements. 
     
     
         111 . The fuel bundle of  claim 107 , wherein the third plurality of fuel elements includes twenty-one substantially parallel tubes positioned radially outward from the second plurality of fuel elements. 
     
     
         112 . The fuel bundle of  claim 107 , wherein at least one of the third plurality of fuel elements is different in cross-sectional size than that of at least one of the first plurality of fuel elements. 
     
     
         113 . The fuel bundle of  claim 107 , further comprising a central element located at the center of the fuel bundle. 
     
     
         114 . The fuel bundle of  claim 113 , wherein the central element includes depleted uranium. 
     
     
         115 . The fuel bundle of  claim 113 , wherein the central element includes a blend of depleted uranium and a burnable poison. 
     
     
         116 . The fuel bundle of  claim 113 , wherein the central element includes a blend of recycled uranium and depleted uranium. 
     
     
         117 . The fuel bundle of  claim 116 , wherein a fissile content of the blend of recycled uranium and depleted uranium of the central element is less than the first fissile content.