1. Fuel functional characteristics

1.1 Situation in the heart

The case of the Superphénix reactor is taken as an example: the most representative variants will be discussed.

The fuel element performs five main functions:

• energy supply, in the "fissile core" region;

• plutonium regeneration in the "fertile" region, often referred to as the "blanket";

• neutron protection of the upper structures of the reactor block;

• adjusting the sodium flow rate to ensure the greatest possible temperature uniformity of the sodium leaving the core;

• mechanical support of the entire heart.

The last two...