OPTIMA3: when flow less fuel performance becomes a reality

Fuel failures and enhanced channel bow are the most challenging issues to a majority of all boiling water reactor (BWR) fuel operators. With SVEA-96 Optima3, Westinghouse has developed a fuel design that has the potential to operate flawlessly. The risk of debris failures has been effectively reduced through the combination of a new spacer design and the enhanced TripleWave+TM debris filter. To minimize channel distortion a new channel material, Low-Tin ZIRLOTM, has been implemented and measurements show that the channel bow has been effectively reduced. More than 500 Optima3 fuel assemblies have already been delivered, and the operating experiences up to more than 50 MWd/kgU, as well as the performed inspections, confirm the anticipated behavior and function. (Author)