Fuel modelling at extended burnup (FUMEX-II)

Presents the results of a code comparison exercise against a wide range of experimental and idealized data designed to test the limits of code capabilities and to allow data for verification and validation at high burnup. It provides an overview of the codes, their limitations and the challenges in understanding the behaviour of high burnup fuel.

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It is fundamental to the future of nuclear power that reactors can be run safely and economically to compete with other forms of power generation. As a consequence, it is essential to develop the underanding of fuel performance and to embody that knowledge in codes to provide best estimate predictions of fuel behaviour. This, in turn, leads to a better understanding of fuel performance, a reduction in operating margins, flexibility in fuel management and unproved operating economics. This report describes the results of the coordinated research project on fuel modelling at extended burnup (FUMEX-II). This programme was initiated in 2000 and completed in 2006. It followed previous programmes on fuel modelling, D-COM which was conducted between 1982 and 1984, and the FUMEX programme which was conducted between 1993 and 1996.