Comparison of the results obtained in fuel management at the Embalse Nuclear Station (C.N.E.) and other similar stations, and alternatives for optimization

This work describes the operating experience of the Embalse Nuclear Station fuel management from fresh core to date, and a comparison is made with the performance reached by the other CANDU 600 stations (Point Lepreau, Gentilly-2 and Wolsung) from the point of view of fuel management with the intention of understanding the differences, in order to assist in the achievement of optimization alternatives. The data for the mentioned comparison with regard to the other stations were obtained from the CANDU Owners Group Information Exchange System (COG). The Embalse average core burnup is 4050 MWd/t.U (97.2 MWh/KgU) and the monthly average extraction burnup is 7800 MWd/t.U. (187,2 MWh/KgU) with an average consumption of 14.2 E/C per full power day. Up to date, and for the same thermal energy generated, Embalse shows a consumption in the order of 1800 fuel elements less than its sister stations at an estimated value of US$ 7,200,000 in the approximately 4 years of commercial operation. A comparison is also made of the burnup and fuel consumption of the 4 stations, standardizing significant parameters, which also shows a slightly smaller consumption for the Embalse Station