Unique Fuel Cycle Capability

AECL has had a continuous fuel cycle program and vision for more than 40 years, including: reactor physics and core design, fuel design and fabrication, irradiation demonstration and examination, reprocessing and separation, cycle optimization and commercial deployment options. The advanced CANFLEX™ fuel bundle has been developed as the optimal advanced fuel carrier.

One of the unique features of the CANDU^® reactor design is its ability to use alternative fuels such as recovered uranium (RU) from the reprocessing of used light water reactor fuel, low-enriched uranium (LEU) and plutonium (Pu) mixed oxide, thorium and actinides, in addition to the conventional natural uranium. Options with thorium include Th-Pu and Th-LEU. The design’s high neutron efficiency and on-power refuelling uniquely positions CANDU as the solution for customers seeking to extend fuel resources, reduce used fuel volume and enhance non-proliferation.

AECL is participating in the demonstration of RU in China, using an option that blends RU with depleted uranium (DU) to produce a natural-uranium equivalent (NUE) fuel. Additionally, an expert panel appointed by the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) recently concluded that CANDU technology “is the ideal nuclear reactor design to further China’s nuclear power program using thorium as an alternative nuclear fuel source.”

The panel unanimously recommended that China consider building two new CANDU units to take advantage of CANDU’s unique capabilities in utilizing alternative fuels.