MIXED-OXIDE FUEL FABRICATION TECHNOLOGY AND EXPERIENCE AT THE BELGONUCLEAIRE AND CFCA PLANTS AND FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS FOR THE MELOX PLANT

Plutonium recycling in light water reactors (LWRs) has progressively b ecome a fact. Over 200 t of mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel have been produced in the COGEMA and BELGONUCLEAIRE plants in the last 7 yr. Fuel loaded in European reactors-mainly MIMAS fuel - is presenting satisfactory in -core behavior and performance. Fuel fabrication technology and operat ion experience of the BELGONUCLEAIRE Po Dessel Plant (35 tonne HM/yr) are reviewed. Backfitting of the Complexe de Fabrication de Cadarache (CFCa) plant to MOX fabrication and recent fabrication progress are al so addressed. The MELOX plant erected by COGEMA in Marcoule (South Fra nce) is a major commitment to provide the utilities with important add itional plutonium recycling by the mid-1990s. This second generation p lant has been designed to currently produce high plutonium-content MOX fuel and recycle degraded plutonium originating from high-burnup LWR UO2 fuels.