Candesco Research Corporation

  - Regulatory Affairs, Licensing
    and Environmental Assessment
  - Safety Analysis
  - Radiation Protection and Health     Physics
  - Project Management
  - Process Optimization
  - Asset Management
  - Advisory Consulting
  - Technical Support

Technical Management of the Bruce B Low Void Reactivity Fuel (LVRF) Safety Analysis Project

Candesco team members lead a multi-company team in developing and executing the safety analysis to support a demonstration irradiation and subsequent full implementation of low void reactivity fuel in Bruce B. The Bruce Power New Fuel Project consists of adopting the new Low Void Reactivity Fuel (LVRF) design in order to increase the licensed operating power of the Bruce B reactors. This complex activity consists of development of a far-reaching safety case consisting of design qualification activities, extensive revision of the safety analysis, and institutionalization of a new design.

The safety analysis for the Demonstration Irradiation of Low Void Reactivity Fuel (LVRF) at Bruce B used Candesco staff in the technical manager position. Most recently, technical management of the extensive analysis to support operation of Bruce B at 100% full power using the LVRF design will be led by Candesco staff. Candesco staff have participated in the Technical Management of the safety report updates for Ontario Power Generation and for Bruce Power.

Recently, Candesco staff have acted in project integration roles in the design qualification review of the Low Void Reactivity Fuel (LVRF), safety analysis in support of the demonstration irradiation of LVRF, and the analysis to support operation of Bruce B at 100% full power using LVRF.Project integration consists of maintaining coordination across the breadth of a complex, technical activity. A project integrator works closely with the technical manager to ensure efficient communication interfaces with service providers, customers, stakeholders, and specialists. An important aspect of project integration is the establishment and management of processes for issue identification, tracking and resolution. Effective issue management helps ensure a robust safety and licensing case.

DESIGN VERIFICATION:

Challenge

New CANDU fuel design using low-enriched uranium;

Demonstrate that reactor operation remains within the regime for which design verification was performed.

Solution

Need to integrate design issues, operating considerations,and regulatory considerations with operations as a primary focus;

Prepare a Design and Operating Envelope (D&OE);

Map design verification assessment assumptions and conditions to reactor operating conditions;

Assure regulator that the operating envelope reflects the limit of the design verification.

Outcome

Design and Operating Envelope document to be used by operations staff to ensure that reactor operation is not inadvertently outside the verification envelope.

ISSUE MANAGEMENT:

Challenge

Interface with 6 groups with different priorities;

Project impacts many facets of reactor design;

100’s of issues identified during project;

Great potential to overwhelm Single Point of Contact (SPOC).

Solution

Develop tools and a management system to identify, log, prioritize, organize and follow-up issues and potential problems;

Implement communication protocols to ensure efficiency;

Provide technical expertise to identify which issues to be raised for attention by the organization.

Outcome

Client has confidence that principles of engineering change control have been strictly maintained throughout the implementation of a major design change.

Safety Analysis Services

RELATED PROJECTS

Bruce B LVRF Safety Analysis Project

Safety Report Update for OPG

Bruce A Restart Safety Analysis Project

Safe Operating Envelope Project for OPG and Bruce Power

Analysis Services

Code Development and Qualification

Safety Case Development