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Reference, Questions and Help => Nuke Q&A => Topic started by: mullig2 on Apr 10, 2009, 01:11

Title: Nuclear Fuel Cycles (class), Help (2)
Post by: mullig2 on Apr 10, 2009, 01:11

A nuclear power plant uses 87 tons of uranium in its core.  The first core consists of 3 equal batches with enrichments of 2.5, 2.9, and 3.1%.  For subsequent cycles, the reactor uses batches with enrichments equal to 2.6 and 3.2% in alternate years.  One third of the core is discharged each year and is replaced by new fuel.  Assume a 30-yr lifetime and 0.2% tails during the life of the plant.  Calculate:
(a) The number of SWUs needed for the 1^st core, the number of SWUs every year after the 1^st cycle, and the total SWUs over the life of the plant
(b) The amount of U₃0₈ and UF₆ needed for the 1^st core, every year after, and the total U₃0₈ and UF₆ over the life of the plant. Give your result in metric tons of uranium, UF₆, and U₃0₈
(c) Assume the following prices and calculate the cost of the 1^st core and the cost of the fuel per year for the life of the plant.
   U₃O₈: $40.00/kgU
   Enrichment: $80.00/SWU, 0.5% loss in conversion
   Conversion: $4.00/kgU
   Fabrication: $100.00/kgU, 0.85 loss in fabrication

Title: Re: Nuclear Fuel Cycles (class), Help (2)
Post by: retired nuke on Apr 11, 2009, 08:00

OK, as much fun as your problems seem to be.... :D
and as helpful as Nukeworkers try to be....  :)
You may recognize that this isn't the "homework helpline"  ;)

Both of your posts show problems that contain significant time consuming calculations. Perhaps if you phrased it in the form of a question regarding how to do the calculations, you would get some advice. But requesting us to do the homework for you is asking a bit much.
Good luck, maybe someone will be bored enough to work it out for you.  ;D