Nuclear Fuel Design Review and Analysis

NAC Stoller provides utilities with informed, independent assessments of fuel designs and design features and their likely performance under anticipated operating conditions. These assessments may be part of a fuel procurement assignment or may be performed when a utility's current vendor initiates a change in the design to enhance economic or technical performance or to resolve a performance problem.

Design reviews encompass the nuclear, thermal-hydraulic and mechanical aspects of the fuel design as well as the materials from which the fuel assembly components are fabricated. Design changes are reviewed not only to determine whether they will produce the benefits ascribed to them, but also whether the changes are likely to cause unanticipated problems in future operation.

Areas of Expertise | Experience

Areas of Expertise

	Technical Review of New Designs and Design Changes
	Specific Review Activities Cover:
	Nuclear, thermal-hydraulic, mechanical, materials, safety
	Identify potential problem areas
	Evaluate test programs
	Independent calculations
	Recommendations for modifications, additional testing, etc.
	Vendor documentation
	Develop Questions Regarding Missing or Incomplete Information
	Technical, economic, commercial
	Meet with Vendor to Discuss and Resolve Questions
	Identify remaining open items

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Experience (Recent Design Review Assignments)

	British Energy (UK)
	Transition to Siemens Fuel in Sizewell B
	CEZ (Czech Rep.)
	Development of W fuel for Temelin 1 & 2
	First Western Fuel for VVER-1000 Reactor
	First Initial Core from Other Than NSSS Vendor
	Monitored Development of Unit 1 Initial Core
	Review of Design Modifications for Unit 2 Initial Core
	NYPA (U.S.)
	Mechanical Performance of Grids, Guide Tubes, Springs
	Finite Element Analysis
	International Utility Group
	Modified Westinghouse VANTAGE 5H Grid Design