Patent ID: 8811563
Filing Date: 2014-08-19
Classification: G21C,G21D,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method for assessing failure of fuel rods, the method comprising: monitoring fuel rod operational conditions; calculating a plurality of fuel rod parameters from the fuel rod operational conditions, each of the fuel rod parameters reflecting a likelihood of failure of individual fuel rods; comparing each of the plurality of calculated fuel rod parameters to a corresponding parameter limit; modifying projected plant operational conditions, if at least one of the calculated fuel rod parameters exceeds the corresponding parameter limit, so as to reduce a degree to which the calculated fuel rod parameters exceed the corresponding parameter limit, receiving the modified, projected plant operational conditions from an operator if at least one of the calculated fuel rod parameters exceeds the corresponding parameter limit; repeating the calculating, comparing, and receiving steps, the calculating instead including calculating a plurality of fuel rod parameters from the modified, projected plant operational conditions and the fuel rod operational conditions if the at least one of the calculated fuel rod parameters exceeds the corresponding parameter limit; and modifying plant operation based on one of the projected plant operational conditions and the modified projected plant operational conditions.