In-core fuel management of TRIGA reactor optimising performance and safety

TRIGA Mark II research reactor is under operation in Bangladesh since 1986 and postponed radioisotope production in 2008. The possibility to extend the length of operation cycle of the reactor core by compacting the inner region with fuels replacing the graphite elements has been investigated. This leads to the increment of core excess reactivity at the expense of reactor performance. And confirmation of the safety has been demonstrated by nucleate boiling analysis. The result finds promising invitation for the future analysis with explicit thermal hydraulic safety calculation for the compact core configuration of the reactor. Copyright © 2021 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.