Performance of the CANFLEX Fuel Bundle under Mechanical Flow Testing

Abstract

CANFLEX is a 43-element fuel bundle consisting of two element sizes, to reduce element ratings, while maintaining the same bundle power, and an uranium content very close to the uranium content of a standard 37-element bundle. The overall dimensions of the bundle are designed to be the same as the overall dimensions of the standard 37-element fuel bundle. Several out-reactor tests were performed, under in-reactor operating conditions of flow, pressure and temperature, to demonstrate the hydraulic performance and mechanical integrity of the CANFLEX fuel-bundle design. The hydraulic performance and mechanical integrity of the CANFLEX fuel-bundle design were verified through various out-reactor tests conducted at the laboratories of KAERI and AECL to show that the CANFLEX bundle design meets the design requirements of the CANDU 6 reactor fuel [1] and that it is also compatible with the CANDU 6 fuelling machine.