Research and Development for CANDU Fuel Channels and Fuel

摘要

The CANDU nuclear reactor is distincly different from BWR and PWR reactors in that it uses many small pressure tubes rather than one large pressure vessel to contain the fuel and coolant. To exploit the advantages of the natural uranium fuel, the pressure tubes, like other core components, are manufactured from zirconium alloys which have low neutron capture cross sections. Also, because natural uranium fuel only achieves a modest burnup, a simple and inexpensive fuel design has been developed. The present paper reviews the features and the research that have led to the very satisfactory performance of the pressure tubes and the fuel in CANDU reactors. Reference is made to current research and development that may lead to further economies in the design and operation of future power reactors. (Atomindex citation 12:582271)