Abstracts and Available Papers Presented at the
1998 International RERTR Meeting

SAFETY ASPECTS OF THE RECH-1 CORE CONVERSION

Jaime Riesle Wetherby
Comision Chilena de Energia Nuclear (CCHEN)
Amun<tegui 95, Santiago - Chile

ABSTRACT

When the RECH-1 research reactor joined the core conversion program for low enrichment fuel, the need to review some safety related aspects, which are currently under way with different degrees of progress, became apparent. The mentioned aspects can be grouped into:

Evaluation of the technical specifications of the new fuel elements: the technical specifications were carefully verified and contrasted with the recommendations of the IAEA and with those of manufacturers which are widely known for their expertise.

RECH-1 relicensing: considering the new fission products inventory, a reevaluation of accident scenarios based on risk analysis tools, deterministic calculations and atmospheric dispersion studies is being accomplished.

Qualification of the fuel element manufacturing process: the qualification of the fuel elements relies, mainly, on the application of a rigorous program of Quality Assurance during fabrication.

Monitoring the new fuel elements performance during irradiation: the core conversion program envisages the initial loading of four lead fuel elements, which will be submitted to periodical controls in order to verify their performance under irradiation conditions, pryor to proceeding to the new full core.