Approximate mass of special alloys in a nuclear reactor?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on estimating the total mass of various materials in a typical Gen III or III+ PWR, specifically in the context of the entire plant. Key materials mentioned include zirconium alloy for fuel cladding, Ag-In-Cd alloy for control rods, and gadolinium as a burnable neutron absorber, primarily located in the reactor core. For the AP1000 reactor, the mass of the cladding is approximately 19,550 kg, with additional components like Ni-Cr-Fe alloy grids and stainless steel used in various systems. The conversation highlights that there is no standard mass for a Gen III+ reactor, as designs vary significantly. Overall, detailed specifications can be found in the reactor's design certification documents.
uraninite
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Approximately, what is the total mass of these materials that is contained in a "typical" Gen III or III+ PWR (e.g., EPR, AP1000...)?

1/ Zr alloy (fuel cladding and other assembly components)?
2/ Ag-In-Cd alloy (control rods)?
3/ Gd (burnable neutron absorber)?
4/ Ni-based alloys?
5/ Stainless steel?

As this is quite a complicated question, please don't hesitate to only answer some parts of it. Thank you!
 
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In the whole plant? All primary systems? The reactor vessel? Or just the fuel assemblies?
 
My question is about the whole plant. However I would just need an order of magnitude and I guess that 1/ Zr alloy, 2/ Ag-In-Cd alloy and 3/ Gd are mainly contained in the core.
 
One can find some numbers in the suppliers DCD for each reactor.

AP1000 - http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/new-reactors/design-cert/ap1000/dcd/Tier 2/Chapter 4/4-1_r14.pdf

The mass of cladding (ZIRLO) is 43,105 lb = 19,550 kg. Westinghouse fuel does not necessarily uses Gd as a burnable absorber, but rather ZrB2 coated on the fuel pellets. The fuel assembly has 10 structural spacer grids, including top and bottom (2) Ni-Cr-Fe Alloy 718 grids and 8 ZIRLO grids, and 4 intermediate (smaller) ZIRLO mid-span mixing grids.

The unit uses 53 RCCAs and 16 GRCAs. One can estimate the AIG and SS by the length of the fingers/rodlets. I believe other sections of Chapter 4 describe some of the ex-core systems, e.g., control rod drive mechanism.

There really is no typical Gen III+ reactor.

Other chapters probably have the masses of Inconel (typ 690) in the steam generators and stainless steel in piping. Stainless steel is typically 304/304L or 316/316L.
 
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Thank you for these information.
 
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