New fuel types for thermal reactors in LOCA conditions

Abstract

The present paper considers a typical scenario for the development of a design-basis loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) in a VVER-1000 reactor. Processes occurring in the fuel and cladding at each stage of the accident are described. The main directions of the development of fuel and fuel claddings for water-water thermal reactors are reviewed. The advantages and disadvantages of various fuel composition types (fuel + cladding) from the perspective of their behavior in design-basis LOCAs are analyzed. Results of preliminary modeling design-basis and beyond design-basis LOCAs for VVER-1000 and PWR reactors with various fuel compositions are presented.