Optimization of water chemistry to ensure reliable water reactor fuel performance at high burnup and in ageing plant (FUWAC)

Presents the results of a coordinated research project considering best practice and improvements that can be made to the primary water chemistry of nuclear power plants. Corrosion of fuel cladding and primary circuit materials are discussed and experiments investigating how water chemistry can alleviate these concerns are described.

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This report presents the results of the Coordinated Research Project (CRP) on Optimization of Water Chemistry to Ensure Reliable Water Reactor Fuel Performance at High Burnup and in Ageing Plants (FUWAC, 2006-2009). It provides an overview of the results of the investigations into the current state of water chemistry practice and concerns in the primary circuit of water cooled power reactors including: corrosion of primary circuit materials; deposit composition and thickness on the fuel; crud induced power shift; fuel oxide growth and thickness; radioactivity buildup in the reactor coolant system (RCS).