Abstract
The potential of the Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel to achieve a high burnup and long life core was studied for four type fuels with the fuel performance code LIFE-IV. Operating conditions, uncertainties and tolerances were varied in calculations and the results were used to establish multi-dimensional response surfaces from the important performance parameters. The Monte Carlo statistical simulation method was applied to determine the effect of statistical tolerance and uncertainty distributions on the fuel performance and to obtain statistical chracteristic of the fuel behavior.(1) From low to medium burnups of 0-100 GWd/t, fission gas swelling dominates Fuel Cladding Mechanical Interaction (FCMI).(2) At high burnup of 150 to 200GWd/t, solid fission product swelling dominates FCMI and fuel performance characteristics are simplified because cladding strain proceeds approximately at a constant rate with burnup.(3) Statistical fuel performance characteristics were evaluated and it was ascertained that MOX has a potential to realize high burnup with 2-σ reliability.(4) The operatioal and fabricational tolerances have little effects on fuel performances.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
