A Standard Approach to Special Fuel Irradiations at Point Lepreau Generating Station

Abstract

Point Lepreau Generating Station (PLGS) has gained a significant amount of experience in the area of special fuel irradiations. This experience has included irradiation of coupon-carrier bundles, T-pad bundles, "documented" and "non-CANLUB documented" bundles and the current demonstration irradiation of CANFLEX fuel. In the course of this, PLGS has developed a standard approach to evaluating these irradiations and evaluating the technical basis for them. In this paper, this standard approach is described. The decision of whether to perform a special irradiation comes down to cost vs. benefit. However, "cost" and "benefit" must be defined broadly. Some of the benefits can include: provision of information which can help address key safety or operational issues provision of technical benefits to station staff. In addition, costs can include: any impact on the safe and efficient operation of the reactor any potential of risk to the reactor the financial costs of a special irradiation, including the time of station staff. In order to assess these costs and benefits comprehensively, PLGS has developed a systematic approach. This approach systematically considers the following elements: the rationale for the special irradiation, the design basis of the fuel to be used, the impact of the special irradiation on the safety analysis that demonstrates the safety of the reactor and the operational considerations associated with the special irradiation competition with other station priorities. In discussing the various aspects considered for special irradiations, this paper will draw upon explicit examples from the special irradiations that PLGS has decided to perform over the years.