Implementation of CANFLEX LVRF fuel bundle manufacture for Bruce - from 'Bench Scale' to production

Zircatec Precision Industries (ZPI) has been involved with the development of the 43 element CANFLEX bundle design since 1986. This development included several 'prototype' campaigns involving the manufacture of test bundles using enriched fuel and a demonstration irradiation of 26 CANFLEX bundles in the Point Lepreau Generating Station. Manufacturing and inspection methods for this fuel were developed at ZPI as the design progressed. The Bruce LVRF CANFLEX Fuel involves significant differences to the original design including a change in appendage size and configuration and the introduction of enriched UO2 and a central Blended Dysprosium oxide Uranium dioxide - BDU fuel element. This presentation will explore issues pertaining to the production scale implementation this design with particular emphasis placed on those related to criticality and fuel segregation. (author)