LICENSING APPROACH FOR LOW ENRICHED URANIUM

摘要

The newly designed Advanced CANDUc Reactor technology utilizes enriched uranium as the fuel source. GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Canada Inc (GEH-C) has partnered with AECL to develop and manufacture this enriched fuel. As part of this program, GEH-C required a licence to manufacture low enriched uranium fuel. A project description for the manufacture of low enriched uranium fuel bundles was first submitted to the CNSC in May of 2007. The hearing for both the licence amendment and environmental assessment was held January 13, 2010 and an amended licence was granted Feb 15, 2010. Several challenges were encountered during the licensing process, particularly in regards to the public consultation aspects of the project. This paper will summarize the approach taken to obtain a licence to produce low enriched uranium fuel at enrichments up to 5%. It will include the technical requirements, as well strategies to overcome various licensing challenges.