Next Generation CANDU Plants

Abstract

The CANDU Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors systems featuring horizontal fuel channels and heavy water moderator will continue to evolve, supported by AECL's strong commitment to comprehensive R and D programs. There are three key CANDU development strategic thrusts: improved economics, fuel cycle flexibility, and enhanced safety operation based on design feedback. Therefore, CANDU reactor products will continue to evolve by incorporating further improvements and advanced features that will be arising from our CANDU Technology R and D programs in areas such as heavy water and tritium, control and instrumentation, fuel and fuel cycles, systems and equipment and safety and constructability. Progressive CANDU development will continue in AECL to enhance the medium size product - CANDU 6, and to evolve the larger size product - CANDU 9. The development of features for CANDU 6 and CANDU 9 is carried out in parallel. Developments completed for one reactor size can then be applied to the other design with minimum costs and risk.