CANDU Advanced Fuel Technology Development in China – Perspective, Roadmap, and Status

Abstract

Because of high neutron economy, simple fuel bundle design, and on-power refueling, CANDU could use recycled uranium economically and efficiently and be the breakthrough of Th nuclear utilization. Based on the above technical advantages of CANDU and the closed nuclear fuel-cycle strategy in China, CANDU could play an important role in Chinese nuclear energy development. CANDU reactors could be constructed to match with PWRs, reprocessing plants and FRs to use the limited natural uranium more effectively in China and could be the R&D platform for thorium nuclear utilization and Th-U circulation. In order to realize this perspective,Third Qinshan Nuclear Power Company (TQNPC), cooperated with Candu Energy ltd. (CE), decided to develop CANDUadvanced fuel technology. Up to the present, NUE demonstration test has completed successfully, NUE full core implementation has got permission from the regulator, and Advanced Fuel CANDU Reactor (AFCR) with DRU or LEU/Thfuel has been conceptually designed. CANDU technology has received more and more recognition along with the development of CANDU advanced fuel technology in China, and we willdedicate to develop CANDU advanced fuel technology and AFCR continuously.