Analysis of Options and Experimental Examination of Fuels for Water Cooled Reactors with Increased Accident Tolerance (ACTOF): Final Report of a Coordinated Research Project

This publication summarizes the results of an IAEA coordinated research project (CRP) on new fuel types and cladding materials for accident-tolerant nuclear power plants. The project aimed to acquire data through experiments and develop modeling capacity to predict the behavior of components and the integral performance of fuel designs. Several coated cladding materials were produced, tested, characterized, and analyzed in round robin tests. Benchmarks were organized to compare and analyze predictions of extended fuel performance codes. The findings and conclusions of the CRP are highlighted in this publication.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 178 pages
\n Publication date: 30 January 2021
\n Publisher: IAEA
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The quest for innovative fuel types that exhibit heightened accident tolerance is gaining significant attention. This encompasses a wide array of strategies, such as employing oxidation-resistant coatings on zirconium-based cladding materials, exploring alternative fuel and cladding options, and developing novel fuels and cladding systems that are currently under rigorous research. Before these emerging fuels and cladding technologies can be deployed industrially, it is essential to obtain licensing approval. Consequently, extensive research efforts are underway to evaluate their behavior in diverse conditions. This publication emerges from a collaborative research project (CRP) orchestrated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The primary objective of the CRP is to gather data through experimental studies on new fuel types and cladding materials, while also enhancing the capacity for modeling to predict the behavior of individual components and the overall performance of accident-tolerant fuel designs under both normal and transient operating scenarios. Noteworthy demonstrations of improvements under severe accident conditions have been documented. A comprehensive round-robin testing framework was employed within the CRP to evaluate and characterize a wide range of coated cladding materials. These materials were subjected to rigorous testing, characterization, and analysis, contributing to the advancement of fuel performance codes. To further validate and refine fuel performance predictions, several benchmarks were organized to compare and analyze the outcomes of extended codes. The findings and conclusions of the CRP are extensively summarized in this publication, providing valuable insights into the current state-of-the-art in accident-tolerant fuel technology.

\n Weight: 494g\n
Dimension: 209 x 295 x 14 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9789201141200\n \n