The Use of Depleted Uranium for the Reduction of Void Reactivity in CANDU Reactors

Abstract

Coolant void reactivity in CANDU reactors can be reduced or even eliminated by adding an appropriate amount of burnable poison in the inner elements of CANDU fuel bundles. The additional amount of U-235 that is required to compensate for the burnable poison can be reduced by using depleted uranium in the inner fuel elements.