Fuel modelling at extended burnup (FUMEX-II)

It is fundamental to the future of nuclear power that reactors can be run safely and economically to compete with other forms of power generation. As a consequence, it is essential to develop the underanding of fuel performance and to embody that knowledge in codes to provide best estimate predictions of fuel behaviour. This, in turn, leads to a better understanding of fuel performance, a reduction in operating margins, flexibility in fuel management and unproved operating economics. This report describes the results of the coordinated research project on fuel modelling at extended burnup (FUMEX-II). This programme was initiated in 2000 and completed in 2006. It followed previous programmes on fuel modelling, D-COM which was conducted between 1982 and 1984, and the FUMEX programme which was conducted between 1993 and 1996.