Hongbin Zhang Author

Research Article Open Access

Rim Structure Effects on Fuel Rod Performance with Burn up Extension Using FRAPCON

Author(s):

Jianguo Yu, Hongbin Zhang

Extending the authorized fuel burn up limit of Light Water Reactor (LWR) is one of the most promising methods to enhance the commercial competitiveness of nuclear power plants. The benefits with high burn up include reduced maintenance and fuel cycle costs, less refueling operations thus leading to higher capacity factors, and reduction of the volume of spent fuel discharged normalized to the energy produced. However, to ensure the integrity of fuel rods with high burn up fuel, there are still a number of issues that need to be remedied. For example, the formation of High Burn up Structure (HBS) or rim structure is possibly the most significant restructuring processes at the rim of pellets in-pile with burn up extension in LWR and the effect of HBS on fuel thermophysical or mechanical ... view more»

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