Challenge Performing CANDU Fuel Channel Reactor Maintenance on Aging CANDU Reactors

Abstract

CANDU (Canada Deuterium-Uranium) nuclear power plants world-wide are entering the latter stages of their operational lifetimes. To ensure safe continued and extended operation, life extension maintenance programs are being implemented by Plant operators around the world.  This paper focuses on life extension of reactor fuel channels at Bruce Power and in particular focuses on Spacer Location and Repositioning (SLAR) strategies and complexities aging fuel channels have on SLAR processes.