On the effect of different placing ZrH moderator material on the performance of a SFR core

The structure for the development of a fuel assembly design with reduced sodium void achieved by the use of the moderating material ZrH is investigated. In the study the sodium void effect, as well as the major feedback coefficients are analyzed. Besides the feedback coefficients, the influence on the operational parameters like neutron flux distribution, power distribution, and burnup distribution is investigated for the different possibilities of arranging the moderating material in the fuel assembly. Additionally, the fuel cycle parameters – breeding and minor actinide production – are analyzed. For a first evaluation of the behavior during transients the influence of temperature changes in the ZrH is studied.