Low-void reactivity CANDU fuel bundle

The effects of positive void reactivity have been accommodated in the design of the CANDU reactor. For example, in a loss-of-coolant accident, two independent, fast-acting shutdown systems quickly shut down the reactor. Nonetheless, positive void reactivity is a feature some potential clients or regulatory agencies may find undesirable or not allowed. AECL has developed a low-void reactivity fuel bundle concept for these constituencies. This paper described the concept, discusses the impact that zero or negative void reactivity has on safety, and outlines a program to demonstrate its performance for larger-scale implementation by 1994 May.