Capsule development for the fuel irradiation test in HANARO

The R and D programs on the nuclear reactor materials and nuclear fuel cycle technology require numerous in-pile tests in HANARO. Extensive efforts have been made to establish design and manufacturing technology for the development of irradiation facilities. One of them is the fuel capsule for the irradiation test of nuclear fuel pellet in HANARO. Detailed designs of a non-instrumented capsule for irradiation testing of oxide fuel was finished and this capsule was fabricated. This capsule will be used for in-pile testing of simulated DUPIC (Direct Use of spent PWR fuel in CANDU reactors) fuel pellets at the beginning of the year 1999 and DUPIC fuel pellets at the end of the year 1999. This test will also be performed to provide the essential information for the advanced PWRs fuel irradiation testing in HANARO. The conceptual design of the instrumented capsule, in which sensors such as thermocouple and SPND will be installed, is also one of the ongoing activities. This capsule will be utilized for irradiation testing of advanced nuclear fuel such as advanced PWRs and DUPIC fuel in the year 2000. (author)