Uprating Potential of a CANDU 6 Reactor with CANFLEX Fuel -A Safety Analysis Perspective

Abstract

CANFLEX (CANDU FLEXible fuelling) fuel bundles with natural uranium have reduced outer element linear powers as well as higher dryout powers, providing an opportunity to increase the power output of the CANDU 6 reactor. In this study, consequences of a postulated large loss of coolant accident (LOCA) were used as an indicator to determine the power increase. The power-uprating potential was determined by increasing the power in a CANFLEX-fuelled reactor to the point where the predicted consequences, in terms of calculated fie1 failures and pressure tube strain, are the same as the consequences for a 37-element fuelled reactor operating at current nominal powers.