Five Years of Successful CANDU-6 Fuel Manufacturing in Romania

Abstract

This paper describes the evolution of CANDU-6 nuclear fuel manufacturing in Romaniaat FCN1 Pitesti, after the completion of the qualification in 1994. Commercial production was resumed early 1995 and fuel bundles produced were entirely delivered to Cernavoda Plant and charged in the reactor. More than 12,000 fuel bundles have been produced in the last five years and the fuel behaved very well. Defective bundles represents less than 0.06 % from the total irradiated fuel, and the most defects are associated to the highest power positions. After qualification, FCN focused the effort to improve braze quality and also to maintain a low residual hydrogen content in graphite coated sheaths. The production capacity was increased especially for component manufacturing, appendages tack welding and brazing. A new graphite baking furnace with increased capacity, is under design. In the pelleting area, a rotary press will replace the older hydraulic presses used for pelleting. Plant development take into consideration the future demands for Cernavoda Unit 2.