Operating experience with axially two-zoned initial fuel core

Conference · Fri Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5550847

Shimoshige, T; Yamashita, J; Tabata, N

Axially two-zoned fuel with an optimized gadolinia design was applied to the initial core of unit 2 of Fukushima-Daini nuclear power station (2F-2), an 1100-MW(e) boiling water reactor. The flattened axial power distribution was successfully measured and excellent operational performance was obtained. The initial fuel in 2F-2 has about 0.2 wt% higher enrichment in the upper half than in the lower half of the fuel elements. The axially two-zoned fuel rods constitute approx.40% of the total fuel rods. The gadolinia content of this fuel was optimized to maintain constant excess reactivity over almost the entire operating cycle. Through the operation of the 2F-2 first cycle with the fully loaded axially two-zoned fuel in the core, the following results were obtained: 1. The TIP-measured axial power distribution was flat all over the core and throughout the cycle, and the maximum linear heat generation rate was decreased to 80% of that in the conventional initial core. The decreased maximum linear heat generation rate reduced the power loss due to control rod pattern exchanges and adjustments. 2. The frequency of control rod pattern exchange and adjustment was approximately one-third of that in the conventional initial core, and operation was simplified. 3. The capacity factor achieved during operation was 99% due to the expected performance of the axially two-zoned fuel.

• Research Organization: Hitachi, Ibaraki, Japan
• OSTI ID: 5550847
• Report Number(s): CONF-851115-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States) Journal Volume: 50
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210100* -- Power Reactors
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CAPACITY
CHALCOGENIDES
CONTROL ELEMENTS
DESIGN
ELEMENTS
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REACTOR CORES
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