View source for CANFLEX

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'''CANFLEX'''; the name is derived from its function: CANDU FLEXible fuelling, is an advanced fuel bundle design developed by Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. ([[AECL]]), along with the Korean Atomic Energy Research Institute ([[KAERI]]) for use in [[CANDU]] design [[nuclear reactors]]. The designers claim that it will deliver many benefits to current and future CANDU reactors-using [[natural uranium]] or other advanced [[nuclear fuel cycle]]s. These include greater operating and safety margins, extended plant life, better economics and increased power.

The CANFLEX bundle has 43 fuel elements, with two element sizes. It is about 10 cm (four inches) in diameter, 0.5 m (20 inches) long and weighs about 20 kg (44 lbs) and  replaces 37-pin standard bundle. It has been designed specifically to increase fuel performance by utilizing two different pin diameters. This reduces the power rating of the hottest pins in the bundles, for the same total bundle power output. Also, the design incorporates special geometry modifications that enhance the heat transfer between the fuel and surrounding coolant.  Twenty-four of these fuel bundles have been tested in the [[Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station|Point Lepreau CANDU 6 reactor]] in New Brunswick, Canada, and results indicate CANFLEX meets all expectations and regulatory requirements.

The [[Bruce Nuclear Generating Station]] has announced a conversion to CANFLEX fuel for their reactors, in 2006.

==See also==
* [[Nuclear fuel]]
* [[Nuclear fuel cycle]]
* [[Uranium market]]
* [[Reprocessed uranium]]
* [[Global Nuclear Energy Partnership]]

==References==
*[http://www.cna.ca/english/files/Climat%Change/reducingcostcandusystem.pdf  Development of CANFLEX-NU Fuel as a CANDU Advanced Fuel]{{Dead link|date=July 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}


{{Nuclear Technology}}

[[Category:Nuclear materials]]
[[Category:Nuclear reprocessing]]
[[Category:Nuclear technology in Canada]]


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