The ACR-1000 Fuel Design Verification Process

Abstract

The ACR-1000®¹ CANFLEX®² -ACR fuel bundle design is being developed according to AECL design quality assurance procedures, which are CSA N286.2-00[1] compliant. An important part of the design process for any system is design verification. For the ACR-1000 fuel bundle design verification, an approach has been adopted which builds on AECL's successful experience in design and qualification of fuel, while enhancing the planning and execution of the process, providing a more objective and explicit demonstration of design compliance with requirements, and improving the alignment of the process with internationally recognized approaches.

The cornerstone of the ACR-1000 fuel design verification process is the adoption of a set of fuel acceptance criteria for normal operating conditions. These criteria, if met, mean that the fuel is not damaged as a result of normal operation. It is recognized that other approaches are also available to evaluate whether fuel is damaged or not damaged, as is evidenced by successful past AECL fuel designs. 'Not damaged,' as used within the context of the criteria, means that fuel elements do not fail, that fuel bundle dimensions remain within specified tolerances, and that functional capabilities are not reduced below those assumed in safety analyses. With a set of fuel acceptance criteria established, the design verification process consists of considering the design requirements in light of the acceptance criteria and demonstrating that the design can fulfil the design requirements without violating the acceptance criteria. This is done through a combination of testing and analysis.