Fuel Performance in Indian PHWR

Abstract

At present India has eight 220 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) in operation and four under different stages of construction. The operating PHWRs RAPS, MAPS, NAPS and KAPS use natural uranium dioxide nineteen element fuel bundles. We have accumulated more than 35 years of full power operating experience of these PHWRs. This covers irradiation of more than 125 thousand fuel bundles. Based on the reactor operating experience, the fuel design, manufacturing and the reactor operating practices are under continuous evolution in order to improve the fuel performance. This paper discusses the changes introduced in the fuel design, various steps taken for improving the manufacturing and quality control plan and plant operation to improve fuel performance. The paper also reviews the consequent fuel performance data from the operating plants.