Post-CHF nuclear fuel operation with Time-at-Temperature criteria

Abstract

The dryout and departure from nucleate boiling criteria are used to set safety limits on nuclear heat transfer and temperature values in nuclear reactors. This review argues for the use of a Time-at-Temperature criterion to improve efficiency and utilization of nuclear fuels and reduce costs. To illustrate the importance of such criteria, the review presents the different phenomena of cladding and fuel rods that could impact the continued operation of nuclear reactors, as well as the experiments and operating events that occurred in light-water reactors.