• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제34권5호
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• pp.502-516
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• 2002

Wolsong NPP are CANDU6 type reactors and there are 4 CANDU6 type reactors in commercial operation. CANDU type reactors require on-power refuelling by two remote controlled F/Ms (Fuelling Machines). Most of channels, fuel bundles are float by channel coolant flow and move toward downstream, however in about 30% of channels the coolant flow are not sufficient enough to carry fuel bundles to downstream. For those channels a special device, FARE (Flow Assist Ram Extension) device, is used to create additional force to push fuel bundles. It has been showing that during fuelling operation of some channels the channel coolant flow rate is reduced below specified limit (80% of normal), and consequently trip alarm signal turns on. This phenomenon occurs on selected channels that are instrumented for the channel flow and required to use the FARE device for refuelling. Hence it is believed that the FARE device causes the problem. It is also suspected that other channels that do not use the FARE device for refuelling might also go into channel flow low state. The analysis revealed that the channel How low occurs as the FARE device is introduced into the core and disappears as the FARE device is removed from the core. This paper presented the FARE device behavior, detailed fuelling operation sequence with the FARE device and effect on channel flow low phenomena. The FARE device components design changes are also suggested, such as increasing the number or now holes in the tube and flow slots in the ring orifice.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제34권5호
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• pp.468-481
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• 2002

There are 4 CANDU6 type reactors operating at Wolsong site. For fuelling operation of certain fuel channels (with flow less than 21.5 kg/s) a FARE flow Assist Ram Extension) device is used. During the refuelling operation, two remote controlled F/Ms (Fuelling Machines) are attached to a designated fuel channel and carry out refuelling job. The upstream F/M inserts new fuel bundles into the fuel channel while the downstream F/M discharges spent fuel bundles. In order to assist fuelling operation of channels that has lower coolant How rate, the FARE device is used instead of F/M C-ram to push the fuel bundle string. The FARE device is essentially a How restricting element that produces enough drag force to push the fuel bundle string toward downstream F/M. Channels that require the use of FARE device for refuelling are located along the outside perimeter of reactor. This paper presents the FARE device design feature, steady state hydraulic and operational characteristics and behavior of the device when coupled with fuel bundle string during fuelling operation. The study showed that the steady state performance of FARE device meets the design objective that was confirmed by downstream F/M C-ram force to be positive.