Analysis of Xenon Spatial Oscillation in a CANDU 6 Reactor with DUPIC Fuel

Abstract

The characteristics of the xenon spatial oscillation of a CANDU-6 reactor with DUPIC fuel has been assessed for three important harmonic perturbations, such as top-to-bottom, side-to-side, and front-to-back oscillations. For each oscillation, the instability index of the DUPIC fuel core has been calculated and compared with that of a natural uranium core. Parametric calculations have also been performed to analyze the effect of the power level and axial power shape on the xenon oscillation. This study has shown that the instability of the xenon oscillation increases for the DUPIC fuel core compared with the natural uranium core. However, this study has also shown that the current reactivity device system suppresses the xenon oscillation completely for both the natural uranium and the DUPIC fuel cores.