15.05.2015
On May 7, a delegation of the Nuclear and Radiation Studies Board (NRSB) of the National Academy of Science visited the FRM II. The US delegation commissioned by the US Congress gathered information on the state of research at the FRM II about the development of high density Uranium fuels. Worldwide scientists try to replace the highly enriched uranium fuel by low-enriched. Also at the FRM II a working group is been working since the inauguration of the neutron source on reducing the degree of enrichment of the fuel assembly without any reduction in the neutron flux. Therefore uranium fuels with high uranium densities of 8-15 g / cm3 are necessary.
The delegation consisted of high-level international scientists from the US, France and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The latter is committed to the worldwide safe and peaceful use of nuclear technology. The visit started with an extensive round tour through the nuclear facility and its scientific use. “Our scientific instruments are always overbooked by a factor two, proving the high demand of research with neutrons” underlined Winfried Petry, Scientific Director of the neutron source.
Lively discussions in the afternoon summarized the progress achieved so far at TUM and its collaboration partners in the development of high density fuels. There was a general agreement about the importance of understanding the basic radiation effects in these high density fuels. Based on that knowledge material combinations shall be developed withstanding the extraordinary high radiation damage.