Fabrication of Driver-fuel Elements for EBR-II.

Book excerpt: Experimental Breeder Reactor No. II (EBR-II), initially designed, built, and operated as a demonstration fast-neutron power reactor with an integral fuel cycle facility, has been operated as an LMFBR irradiation test facility for approximately the past fourteen years. The initial core loading and subsequent fuel has been fabricated by Argonne National Laboratory and two commercial vendors. Fuel-fabrication techniques, equipment, and procedures currently in use were originally developed for the recycle of irradiated EBR-II fuel in the remotely operated ANL Fuel Cycle Facility. Fuel-element design has undergone several changes to obtain better performance and extended burnup. Correspondingly, fuel-fabrication techniques have been modified and refined, and the process has been placed in conformance with new administrative, safety, quality-assurance, and safeguards requirements.