Uranium zirconium hydride
Uranium zirconium hydride (UZrH, U-ZrHx), a dispersion of metallic uranium in a δ-ZrH1.6 matrix, is used as the fuel in TRIGA reactors.[1] UZrH fuel is used in most research reactors at universities and has a large, prompt negative fuel temperature coefficient of reactivity, meaning that as the temperature of the core increases, the reactivity rapidly decreases.[2]
Franco-Belge de Fabrication du Combustible, in Romans-sur-Isère, France, is the only manufacturer of this fuel.[3]
References
- ^ Olander, D.; Greenspan, Ehud; Garkisch, Hans D.; Petrovic, Bojan (August 2009). "Uranium–zirconium hydride fuel properties". Nuclear Engineering and Design. 239 (8): 1406–1424. doi:10.1016/j.nucengdes.2009.04.001.
- ^ "TRIGA Fuels".
- ^ "Plant upgrades ensure continued TRIGA fuel supply : Uranium & Fuel - World Nuclear News".