Nuclear Fuel Performance in Embalse NPP, Design Optimizations and Manufacturing Improvements

Abstract

Fuel performance in Embalse Nuclear Power Plant since the beginning of the operation of the commercial fuel manufacturing plant has been encouraging. Failure rates because of manufacturing flaws during the last 3 years is discussed. The total manufacturing failure rate is strongly affected by some "defect excursions". The first part of this paper presents the evolution of the failure rate and describes the most important excursions. Despite the good performance of the fuel, new trends in the energy market require more economic fuels. Domestic fuel design optimizations towards this objective are discussed. These changes are mainly referred to an increment of the uranium content in the fuel. Another design changes that are directed to reduce the fuel manufacturing cost are also described. This modifications are in progress and under a qualification program. New manufacturing equipments have been incorporated to reduce the cost of the fuel and to increase the fuel reliability. Some of them have been completely qualified and are fully operational.