Topfuel 97

The issue of the reuse of separated plutonium has added a further dimension to the total technical/economic picture. This title describes the trends in advanced fuel designs, together with details of developments in more efficient fuels and improved materials for various major reactor types in Europe, USA and Japan.

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Market and fuel cycle economics - While fuel cycle economics continue to be determined by the design and fabrication costs of fuel manufacture and its in-core performance, the issue of the reuse of separated plutonium has now added a further dimension to the total technical/economic picture.Advanced fuel design and materials - Current trends in advanced fuel designs are described together with details of developments in more efficient fuels and improved materials for all the major reactor types in Europe, USA and Japan.Fuel manufacturing and transportation - Fuel manufacturing practices are continuously being upgraded to improve the economics and meet ever more demanding safety standards. The use of recycled plutonium adds further to the complexity of the plant and the transportation requirements. Recycled uranium and MOX fuel technologies - The use of MOX fuel has generated a considerable amount of new research and development work not only on the reoptimization of the fuel element design and fuel cycle characteristics but also on the redesign of the fuel fabrication plants to meet plutonium containment requirements.Fuel management and performance - Detailed monitoring of fuel performance coupled with extensive post-irradiation examination of fuel has led to vast improvements in fuel performance being achieved with its attendant economic benefits.
Also important from the safety standpoint has been the greater understanding of the degradation processes that can affect both intact and failed fuel.