Thermophysical properties affecting safety and performance of nuclear fuel

Abstract

Improvement of the nuclear fuel exploitation has been one of the main objectives of reactor technology during the last decades. Today, in view of a sustainable nuclear energy production, development of advanced reactors re-proposes the choice of innovative fuel cycle concepts, in a context of greater expectations and more stringent requirements. From the experience gained in the past, a fuel research and development strategy can be devised, by which selected physical properties are taken as in-pile fuel performance indices.