Improvement of PWR Fuel Fabrication

Abstract

Mitsubishi Nuclear Fuel Co., Ltd. (MNF) has supplied PWR nuclear fuels to PWR powerplants in Japan. MNF has been also promoting the development of new processes and automatic fabrication equipment by using the latest technology for accomplishing higher quality and lower cost nuclear fuel.

This paper describes three examples of equipment by using unique technology. These are UO₂ pellet visual inspection system by using image data processing technology, non-destructive plenum length and pellet gap measurement system by using the principle of eddy current and a new Mitsubishi designed fuel assembly fabrication process.

These system runs effectively for labor-saving and improving fuel reliability.