Study of the Application of A New Fuel Assembly CANFLEX in QinShan Phase Ⅲ Heavy Water Reactor

In this paper the new fuel assembly CANFLEX for CANDU reactor is introduced. The physical performances and thermal-hydraulic characteristics of assembly and the feasibility of its application in CANDU-6 reactor of QinShan PhaseⅢ are studied. Calculations demonstrate that the margin of reactor safety has been increased by the improvement of thermal-hydraulic characteristics. Replacing the NU-37 assembly by CANFLEX in CANDU-6 reactor will not have influence on the in-core power distribution and peaking power and the power fluctuation as well. It is proved that the application of new CANFLEX assembly in CANDU reactor of QinShan Phase Ⅲ is safe and feasible with significant economy benefit.