Operation experience of MOX fuel loaded heavy water reactor

Shiratori, Yoshitake; Furubayashi, Toshiyuki; Matsumoto, Mitsuo

ugen has been operating safely and smoothly for twelve years using mainly plutonium-uranium mixed oxide (mox) fuels, and much operation data has been accumulated during this time. Fugen's core management has been established, and its core characteristics have been evaluated through the operation. the effect of am accumulation and plutonium composition ratio must be considered when many mox fuels are used in a thermal reactor. Calculation accuracy of core analysis code is good and core characteristics are well evaluated by the consideration of these factors. Fuel inspection shows that there is no big difference between mox and uo fuel.