Overview of RETRAN related activities

An overview is presented of the important RETRAN related events that have o ccurred since the previous International RETRAN Conference, which was held in October 1995. First, an overview is given of the general state of the in dustry, focusing on problems with the implementation of new reactor fuels a nd the formation at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) of the Rob ust Fuel Program. Second the conclusion from the EPRI-sponsored design revi ew of RETRAN-3D is given, as well as the status of RETRAN related licensing submittals to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the cur rent stat us of the RETRAN-3D licensing submittal. Third, GPU Nuclear Corporation's u se of RETRAN-3D and a cross-comparison of RETRAN-02 licensing analyses for all Three Mile island Chapter 14 (Chapter 15 for most plants) events are su mmarized. Fourth, a vision of the future is outlined which includes the evo lving integration of EPRI codes into interactive suites similar to CPM-3, C ORETRAN, and RETRAN-3D. Also outlined are the evolution of RETRAN for balan ce-of-plant analysis, supporting CHECWORKS leak applications, and the use o f the thermal-hydraulic engine in operator training simulators.