Investigating the Impact of Plutonium Isotopes on DFRs Fuel Cycle Length Using ThCl4-PuCl3 Fuel

Semra Daydaş; Ali Tiftikçi

Investigating the Impact of Plutonium Isotopes on DFRs Fuel Cycle Length Using ThCl4-PuCl3 Fuel

Abstract

In this study, ThCl₄-PuCl₃ fuel, which has a lower eutectic point (895K) than the (U-Pu)Cl₃ fuel used in the current Dual Fluid Reactor (DFR) system, was proposed to evaluate the effects of plutonium isotopes on reactor performance. The calculations were conducted using the SERPENT 1.1.7 Monte Carlo code and the ENDF/B-VII.0 cross-section library. Specifically, the effects of 240Pu and 238Pu isotopes were analyzed in the 5BP40 and 10BP38 fuel compositions, respectively. As a result, both modified fuels provided fuel cycles approximately 3.5 times longer than the reference reactor while exhibiting similar keff behavior throughout burnup. Additionally, the behavior of the fuel compositions under temperature variations was analyzed to evaluate reactor safety. The results demonstrate that both fuel compositions offer safe operating conditions. Specifically, 5BP40 is more advantageous in terms of isotope enrichment level, whereas 10BP38 provides higher safety margins. Future studies should investigate the interactions of the fuel with the fuel tube material and consider the DFR’s online fuels reprocessing capability when analyzing fuel behavior.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Energy Generation, Conversion and Storage (Excl. Chemical and Electrical)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Semra Daydaş ^*
0000-0003-3323-4092
Türkiye

Ali Tiftikçi
0000-0002-7727-9375
Türkiye

Publication Date

December 31, 2025

Submission Date

November 29, 2024

Acceptance Date

September 29, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 11 Number: 3

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA98ZS33WP

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Daydaş, S., & Tiftikçi, A. (2025). Investigating the Impact of Plutonium Isotopes on DFRs Fuel Cycle Length Using ThCl4-PuCl3 Fuel. Gazi Journal of Engineering Sciences, 11(3), 355-363. https://izlik.org/JA98ZS33WP

AMA

1.Daydaş S, Tiftikçi A. Investigating the Impact of Plutonium Isotopes on DFRs Fuel Cycle Length Using ThCl4-PuCl3 Fuel. GJES. 2025;11(3):355-363. https://izlik.org/JA98ZS33WP

Chicago

Daydaş, Semra, and Ali Tiftikçi. 2025. “Investigating the Impact of Plutonium Isotopes on DFRs Fuel Cycle Length Using ThCl4-PuCl3 Fuel”. Gazi Journal of Engineering Sciences 11 (3): 355-63. https://izlik.org/JA98ZS33WP.

EndNote

Daydaş S, Tiftikçi A (December 1, 2025) Investigating the Impact of Plutonium Isotopes on DFRs Fuel Cycle Length Using ThCl4-PuCl3 Fuel. Gazi Journal of Engineering Sciences 11 3 355–363.

IEEE

[1]S. Daydaş and A. Tiftikçi, “Investigating the Impact of Plutonium Isotopes on DFRs Fuel Cycle Length Using ThCl4-PuCl3 Fuel”, GJES, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 355–363, Dec. 2025, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA98ZS33WP

ISNAD

Daydaş, Semra - Tiftikçi, Ali. “Investigating the Impact of Plutonium Isotopes on DFRs Fuel Cycle Length Using ThCl4-PuCl3 Fuel”. Gazi Journal of Engineering Sciences 11/3 (December 1, 2025): 355-363. https://izlik.org/JA98ZS33WP.

JAMA

1.Daydaş S, Tiftikçi A. Investigating the Impact of Plutonium Isotopes on DFRs Fuel Cycle Length Using ThCl4-PuCl3 Fuel. GJES. 2025;11:355–363.

MLA

Daydaş, Semra, and Ali Tiftikçi. “Investigating the Impact of Plutonium Isotopes on DFRs Fuel Cycle Length Using ThCl4-PuCl3 Fuel”. Gazi Journal of Engineering Sciences, vol. 11, no. 3, Dec. 2025, pp. 355-63, https://izlik.org/JA98ZS33WP.

Vancouver

1.Semra Daydaş, Ali Tiftikçi. Investigating the Impact of Plutonium Isotopes on DFRs Fuel Cycle Length Using ThCl4-PuCl3 Fuel. GJES [Internet]. 2025 Dec. 1;11(3):355-63. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA98ZS33WP