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U.S. Department of Energy
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Factors affecting post-DNB operation for light water reactors. Final report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6048778
The development of an improved fuel design limit appears to be technically feasible and its implementation into reactor operations appears to be economically attractive for most pressurized water reactor designs. A maximum cladding temperature criterion of 870/sup 0/K for 15 seconds can be used to avoid damage due to most mechanisms. Analyses have shown that this criterion would be met for the plant transients of interest. Depending on plant-specific design characteristics, the benefits from a post-DNB fuel design limit could range from intermittent improvements in plant availability to a 5% increase in output worth about $12 million per reactor-year. However, additional analysis of fuel rod bow during transients and post-DNB heat transfer is recommended. Also, an industry-wide survey of benefits is recommended prior to proceeding with the development of a post-DNB fuel design limit.
Research Organization:
Combustion Engineering, Inc., Windsor, CT (USA)
OSTI ID:
6048778
Report Number(s):
EPRI-NP-1999(Vol.1); ON: DE81904215
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English