ADVANCED FUEL-ELEMENTS FOR PASSIVE PRESSURE TUBE LIGHT-WATER REACTORS

This paper focuses on the development of advanced fuel elements for in novative pressure tube light water reactors. Considerations and constr aints that affect the design process and various possible options are discussed. The two most promising fuel designs, which can survive a lo ss-of-coolant accident without primary coolant replenishment, while ha ving sufficient margins to fuel design limits, are proposed, described and evaluated. It is demonstrated that this key objective can be achi eved, provided that reliable SiC cladding or coating, which can withst and operating and accident conditions without failure, can be manufact ured. Recent advances in ceramic coating technologies and experimental tests of coated specimens indicate that the attainment of this goal i s feasible. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.