Nuclear fuel rod qualification by ramp testing and pre- and post irradiation examination

As imposed by the safety requirements, fuel rods for Power Reactors have to demonstrate their ability to withstand power variations without failure. Smooth power variations, such as those due to load following, as well as severe power transients, such as those due to unexpected reactivity excursions, have to be taken into consideration. In the BR-2 reactor, power ramps can be performed on a single rod up to high ratings with a high accuracy on the power. Pre- and post-irradiation examinations are performed in the hot laboratories of the SCK-CEN. Both facilities are briefly described and results concerning the behaviour of fuel rods when ramped are given