Patent ID: 6345081
Filing Date: 2002-02-05
Classification: G21C,Y02E

Abstract:
A method for evaluating the integrity of the nuclear fuel in a nuclear plant during operation of the plant, wherein the plant includes a reactor (1) enclosing a reactor core comprising a number of fuel cladding members (2) arranged to enclose said nuclear fuel, said method comprising the steps of:determining (4) the value of each of a number of first parameters including activity data of the off-gases from the reactor, determining (5) the value of each of a number of second parameters including chemical data and activity data of the liquid flowing through the reactor, determining (6) the value of each of a number of operational parameters including at least one of the reactor effect, control rod position, actual fuel type, flow of off-gases, and flow of the liquid flowing through the reactor, standardizing (4, 5) said values of the first and second parameters in relation to said values of the operational parameters, analysing (6-9) said standardized values and said values of the operational parameters, estimating (6-9) the integrity of the fuel based on said analysis, and producing (13) guidelines for the continuing operation of the plant with regard to said estimation.