USA fleet member Susquehanna’s industry leading fuel performance was recently recognized at an international nuclear conference hosted by the Societe Francaise d’Energie Nucleaire in Paris, France, where AREVA presented a paper describing the unique composition of Susquehanna’s fuel deposits.

The paper, which was accepted by and presented at Global 2015: Nuclear Fuel Cycle for a Low-Carbon Future Conference is titled “Susquehanna Unit 1 EOC 16 Fuel Deposit Analysis/ Characterization.” It was co-authored by three nuclear professionals at AREVA and Talen Energy’s own Nuclear Fuel Reliability Engineer William Kahler.

“Having Susquehanna Station’s fuel performance recognized in such a positive, global way as a result of achievements related to fuel reliability recognizes what we have known for decades,” said Susquehanna’s Chief Nuclear Officer Tim Rausch. “I’m especially pleased that Team Susquehanna’s own Bill Kahler was able to work with AREVA to co-author the paper. International recognition is quite an honor.”

As a result of the INPO nuclear fuel reliability initiative described in INPO 07-004, all plants routinely inspect their discharged fuel bundles. As part of the exams at Susquehanna in 2011, samples of the CRUD and corrosion present on the fuel rods were taken and evaluated by AREVA in their radiological laboratory facility. Evaluation of the deposits indicated good operational and plant water chemistry controls.

The physical structure of Susquehanna’s deposits is different than other US BWRs for two main reasons:

Susquehanna’s deposits are of a loose structure with minimal heat transfer impact when compared to those plants injecting noble metals or having excessive iron and zinc levels in their reactor water and

There are much lower hydrogen concentrations and oxidant levels immediately adjacent to the fuel rod surface than in fuel exposed to noble metals injection

These conditions indicate that Susquehanna’s fuel has very good heat transfer characteristics, which translates to significant margin to assumptions in plant licensing bases and analyses. The nature of the deposits also reduces concerns relative to regulatory rule making efforts regarding post LOCA performance of the fuel.

“Kudos to Chemistry, Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering because water chemistry controls have been very successful in avoiding the creation of fuel deposits that increase the risk of fuel performance issues,” said Bill. “This is a significant contributor to Susquehanna’s nearly 50 reactor years of leaker-free fuel performance.”