Candu Nuclear Safety Research and Development in Canada: Current Progress and Challenges

Abstract

In Canada, Safety and License of CANDU (CANadian Deuterium Uranium) reactors are supported by a full-scope program of safety R&D in key technical areas. This paper presents an extensive overview of the Canadian nuclear safety research background, drivers, current status, challenges, and future directions. Industry retains key programs/facilities/expertise addressing unique features of the CANDU as well as for selected generic technology areas common to CANDU & LWR. The Canadian nuclear safety R&D programs currently conducted by the COG (CANDU Owner’s Group), AECL (Atomic Energy Canada Limited), Candu Energy, the CNSC (Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission), and by universities via UNENE (University Network of Excellence in Nuclear Engineering) sponsorship are described in the paper. Both industry and the CNSC work cooperatively with international community in areas of mutual interest. Efforts also continue to advance the CANDU design to further enhance safety. In particular, the nuclear safety R&D program related to the emerging CANDU ageing issues and licensees’ aging management strategies to increase safety margin are also addressed in the paper. Directions for the future nuclear safety R&D are recommended in the paper at the end. The paper is ideally suited for CANDU designers, industry, academic, and regulatory professionals, but also beneficial to CANDU management team.