Advanced Fuel Cycles for CANDU: AECL's Fuel Development Program

Abstract

Thorium fuel cycles offer an evolutionary route to the reduction of uranium consumption in CANDU reactors, with the ultimate potential for self-sufficiency. The important facets of the fuel development program required to support such thorium fuel cycles are outlined with regard to fabrication technology and performance. In particular, the anticipated impact on individual process steps of having to remotely fabricate a highly γ-active fuel are discussed as are the effects of these process steps on irradiation behaviour.