Study of Characteristics of Th-U Cycle in CANDU

Abstract

The flexibility of CANDU technology allows the use of different fuel cycles including various uranium-driven thorium cycles. Direct self-recycle method and heterogeneous cycle modes with supercritical water as coolant were studied for (U,Th)O₂ CANFLEX fuel bundle. Lattice pitch and enrichment of driver fuel were treated as independent variables, taking account of coolant void reactivity, fuel burnup, and linear power uneven factor. In the end, appropriate cycle mode and parameters of bundle were chosen for (U,Th)O₂ cycle in CANDU SCWR. Calculations were processed by the two-dimensional multigroup neutron transport code WIMS-AECL release 3.1.2.1.