Influence of high-worth control rods on burnable absorber design

Two-dimensional studies have previously indicated the possibility of significant fuel cycle cost reduction in boiling water reactors (BWRs) equipped with ABB Atom high-worth control rods. These high-worth control rods have {approximately}5 to 10% higher rod worth than standard control rods. This work summarizes the results of extensive three-dimensional analysis of the burnable absorber design for the German BWR/4,D-LATTICE reactor, KKB, equipped with {approximately}50% high-worth ABB Atom control rods. This three-dimensional analysis confirms the earlier two-dimensional predictions. Furthermore, this paper illustrates the type of advantages that can be achieved the high-worth control rods by reducing the burnable absorber content.