Toward Developing a Next Generation Computer Code for Fuel Analysis

Abstract

A three-dimensional fuel rod performance analysis code has been developed at Candu Energy, using the finite element method, especially for application to pellet-cladding interaction and load-following operation. This code is applicable to both PWR and CANDU fuel rods, and also applicable to steady-state and transient conditions. The finite element platform of the computer code has been developed first, and specific performance models are plugged in to the finite element platform. Candu Energy intends to extend this rod-base computer code to the bundle-base computer code, by adapting functionality models, which have been developed and are used in individual computer codes, to the finite element platform. This paper describes the strategic approach for the bundle-base analysis code that can be used for fuel analysis under various operation conditions from normal operation to postulated accidents.