FABRICATION OF (U-Pu) MIXED-OXIDE FUEL FOR PRESSURIZED HEAVY WATER REACTORS

摘要

Indian pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs) have been operated over the years using natural UO_2 bundles. An attempt has been made recently to use (U-Pu) mixed-oxide (MOX)fuel bundles containing 0.4% PuO_2 to increase the burnup and reduce fuel inventory. This paper outlines the design changes made in the fuel elements and presents the important steps in fabrication of MOXfuel, the novel quality and process control procedures developed, and our experience during the fabrication of MOX fuel assemblies irradiated in one of the commercial PHWRs.