Development results in Fugen

Fugen has been operating successfully for seventeen years since 1979. The 16.6 billion kWh of electricity have already generated for approximately one hundred thousand hours in generating time. The total load factor reaches about 66%. The 638 of MOX fuel assemblies have been loaded and burned in stable without a fuel failure. This MOX utilization record is the greatest one in the world. In addition, Fugen concluded the circle of nuclear fuel recycling first in Japan to be loaded the MOX fuel including plutonium produced by itself. These outcomes mainly attribute to continuous improvements through the operation experience in maintenance management as well as developments for problems peculiar to an ATR type reactor. Hereafter Fugen continues its operation as a facility for technological development center of plutonium utilization, an international cooperation center making the best use of Fugen characteristics. (author)