Reactor Core Design

Reactor core design establishes the core in consideration of fuel enrichment/burnup, and performs analysis of nuclear characteristics as well as thermal hydraulics analysis of core/fuel. These are important to ensure the safety of fuel and to improve economy of nuclear power generation by efficient operation of the core (e.g., reducing the number of fresh fuel assemblies) and by improvement of thermal output. Furthermore, reactor core design aims at enhancing operation management through development and application of systems for core management such as core monitoring and guidance.

  • Core design of new plants (domestic plants, overseas plants)
  • Reload core design of existing plants (high burnup, extended cycle length, MOX core)
  • DNBR evaluation, Primary-system performance evaluation during rated thermal power operation
  • Core-related technologies: on-line core monitoring systems, core behavior prediction and operation guidance
Example of fuel loading pattern