Fuel Management Simulation for an Uprated CANDU-600

Abstract

This paper describes a detailed fuel management study which was carried out for the CANDU 600 uprated by 17%. This simulation features the latest developments in our fuel-management computer programs. The time-average characteristics of the core, such as equilibrium fuelling rates, exit fuel burnup , and in-core power and burnup distributions are presented. Also described is a detailed fuelling simulation of the first 400 FPD (Full Power Days) of operation including the initial core, the excess reactivity transient of the first 100 FPD, the onset of refuelling and the approach to equilibrium. Features of this study which have not previously been simulated for the CANDU 600 are a 17% power increase, mixed four- and eight-bundle shift refuelling, and spatial control throughout the 0-400 FPD simulation.