Theory 128/Nuclear fuel cycle/Progression phase
Burnup Is Fission Against Poisoning
The claim
Achievable burnup is set by the ratio of fission rate to poison accumulation, so reactivity loss limits the cycle before fuel is consumed.
01Mechanism
Fission products absorb neutrons; the ratio sets the end of useful life.
02Prediction
Burnup should track the ratio.
03Refutation
Burnup tracking initial enrichment would remove poisoning.