Operational results of WWER fuel fabricated by MSZ (Elektrostal, Russia)

The presentation brings forth a statistical analysis of the WWER fuel (fabricated by OAO MSZ) operational experience. Necessity of such analysis is caused by that the objective information on operation allows to estimate correctness and efficiency of the decisions accepted by the supplier, the designer, the manufacturer and the maintaining organisation, and also stimulates the further perfection of fuel. Conclusions:1) WWER-440 and WWER-1000 fuel produced by OAO MSZ provides safe operation of the power units in the economic fuel cycles, including the increased heat power. 2) The use of advanced designs and constant fuel improvement (in particular, introduction of U/Gd fuel) ensures a considerably higher burnups of the discharged fuel assemblies. 3) The nuclear fuel is operating practically without failures in the WWER-440 reactors (V-213 type) located in Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary and Finland. The average leakage ratio for the fuel rods over the last 5 years makes 1,4.10-6 and is comparable with the best world achievements. 4) For the WWER-1000 reactors an average leakage ratio of the TVSA fuel rods makes 2.10-5. Joint efforts of all parties concerned can reduce the rate