Technical Aspects and Economic Promise of Low Enriched Uranium CANDU-PHW Reactors

Abstract

This paper considers the use of low-enriched uranium fuel in a 842 MWe CANDU-PHW (Pressurized Heavy Water) reactor that was originally designed for natural uranium fuel. The technical feasibility and the economics of such a substitution are discussed.

It is concluded that 0.9 wt% enriched fuel, coupled with a fuelling scheme of 2-bundle-shift in the inner core region and 4-bundle-shift in the outer core region, is the most attractive option. Technically, it is feasible, and economically, for a 30 year reactor life starting from 1983, it could realize a capitalized cost savings in the order of 50 M$/reactor (in 1980 dollars, present-worthed to 1980).