Thermo-mechanic behavior simulation for fuel assemblies manufactured in Mexico with FEMAXI-VI code

摘要

The fuel manufacturing pilot facility from the National Institute for Nuclear Research (Instituto National de Investigations Nudeares, ININ) provided four GE9B type fuel assemblies to Laguna Verde Nuclear Power Plant (LVNPP). The fuel irradiation was performed at Unit 1 in CNLV during four operation cycles, highlighting the fact that in the third cycle, the four assemblies, after a certain amount of time, were placed at center of reactor core. In the Nuclear Systems Department (Departamento de Sistemas Nudeares, DSN) in ININ, studies have been performed to evaluate its neutronic performance, and be able to determine the exposure levels of such fuel. Also, the need to perform a thermo-mechanic behavior study for the fuel rods comprising the assemblies was proposed; this analysis was done with the FEMAXI-VI code.