EU Clearinghouse on NPP OEF Summary Report on Fuel Related Events

Abstract

Fuel performance and reliability, especially fuel integrity, is one of the important aspects of the safe operation of nuclear power plants. The fuel rod cladding surrounding the fuel pellets represents the first barrier to the release of radioactive fission products. Fuel integrity must be maintained during normal operation and expected transients, and fuel damage must be limited during postulated accidents. Over the years, a very significant effort has been put into analysing and understanding the causes of fuel failures, and important strategies in design, engineering, manufacture, inspection, operation and management have been developed to try to avoid them. The results of this effort are reflected in improvements regarding the use of new materials, a more robust design, new fabrication methods, more efficient inspections of newly built fuel assemblies, quality assurance and better operational strategies. More demanding operational conditions for the fuel, or singular interventions like system decontamination or fuel cleaning, have raised concerns about fuel performance. The result of these counteracting trends is that fuel performance has improved significantly over the years, but there are still some issues which need to be addressed, such as fretting, corrosion, fuel handling, and in storage events. Based on 169 fuel related events reported in nuclear power plants worldwide, and on the work performed under the EU Clearinghouse on Nuclear Power Plant Operational Experience Feedback, this summary report lists the main causes of actual and potential nuclear fuel failures in three situations: in-core, during handling, and during storage. The report also includes the main recommendations to fuel designers and manufacturers, nuclear power plant operators and regulatory authorities to reduce the incidence of fuel related events, and a list of actions now widely and systematically applied in nuclear power plants that were originated by operational experience exchanges and now constitute a set of good actions that help reduce the number of reported fuel related events. How to obtain EU publications Our priced publications are available from the EU Bookshop (http://bookshop.europa.eu), where you can place an order with the sales agent of your choice. The Publications Office has a worldwide network of sales agents. You can obtain their contact details by sending a fax to (352) 29 29-42758. The mission of the JRC is to provide customer-driven scientific and technical support for the conception, development, implementation and monitoring of EU policies. As a service of the European Commission, the JRC functions as a reference centre of science and technology for the Union. Close to the policy-making process, it serves the common interest of the Member States, while being independent of special interests, whether private or national. L D -N A -2 4 5 7 9 -E N -C