Criticality Safety at Zircatec - Past Present and Future

Abstract

In response to the Power Uprate program at Bruce Power, Zircatec has committed to introduce, by Spring 2006 a new manufacturing line for the production of 43 element CANFLEX bundles containing Slightly Enriched Uranium (SEU) with a centre pin of blended dysprosia/urania (BDU). This is a new fuel design and is the first change in fuel design since the introduction of the current 37 element fuel over 20 years ago. This move to LVRF fuel manufacture has prompted the change to a plant wide implementation of criticality safety methods. The major aspects of this change will be discussed from the viewpoint of the end user of the facility. Some of the methods used in the design of the unit processes and in the conducting of the criticality safety evaluations will be elaborated.