Presents worldwide statistics on fuel failure rates, covering about 96% of water cooled reactor fuels. The publication also describes modern methods of detection and examination of fuel failures, analyses their mechanisms and root causes, and recommends failure prevention and mitigation measures.

Since the 1970s, the IAEA has been involved in the analysis of fuel failures in water cooled reactors in normal (non-accident) operational conditions. This updated version of IAEA Nuclear Energy Series No. NF-T-2.1 provides information on all aspects of fuel failures in current nuclear power plant operations.

This updated version of Nuclear Energy Series NF-T-2.1 provides information on all aspects of fuel failures in current nuclear power plant operations.

This publication responds to the growing awareness of a need for open discussion and concerted actions to improve nuclear fuel reliability. It contains unique worldwide statistics on fuel failure rates, covering about 96% of water cooled reactor fuels. This gives the most representative picture of fuel reliability available in the open literature and presents a number of valuable conclusions. The publication also describes modern methods of detection and examination of fuel failures, analyses their mechanisms and root causes, and recommends failure prevention and mitigation measures. These data and information are important elements for closing the circle of the fuel quality management system through providing feedback information about fuel performance.

The purpose of this report is to provide a combined presentation of the worldwide experience gained on fuel failures in water cooled reactors and to give statistical data on fuel failures for the period 1987 to 1994. It contains detailed descriptions of primary and secondary failure mechanisms which occurred in 'western' type boiling and pressurized water reactors (BWRs and PWRs), Soviet type pressurized light water reactors (WWERs) and Canadian type heavy water reactors (CANDUs). It also includes information on detection, examination and analysis of fuel failures as well as on fuel failure prevention and management in plant operation.

Since the 1970s, the IAEA has been involved in the analysis of fuel failures in water cooled reactors in normal (non-accident) operational conditions. This updated version of IAEA Nuclear Energy Series No. NF-T-2.1 provides information on all aspects of fuel failures in current nuclear power plant operations.

Improved fuel reliability means reduced fuel failures in reactor operation. Fuel failures, with their consequent adverse impact on the environment and requirements for additional waste management, result in costs for remediation, 'failed core' operation and maintenance. Therefore, poor performance of fuel can lead to uncompetitive operational conditions for a nuclear power plant. A revision of the earlier edition, this publication has been significantly extended to support nuclear fuel designers, manufacturers, reactor operators, and fuel engineers and managers on fuel design and design changes, fuel manufacturing, qualification, in-reactor operation, and on-site services to achieve excellence in fuel reliability and performance and safe operation of nuclear fuel under all applicable plant states.

This publication results from an IAEA technical meeting, held with the objective to provide Member States with a forum to share data, experience and knowledge in the area of fuel failure during normal operation of water cooled reactors. In spite of the low fuel failure rate in currently operating water cooled nuclear power reactors, there is a continued high level of interest in fuel failures, owing to the problems and inconvenience caused by fuel failures and to the generally accepted goal of achieving a zero failure rate. This requires a detailed knowledge of existing failure mechanisms, their root causes and remedies. A total of 21 papers addressing those issues were presented and discussed at the meeting. The main conclusions and recommendations are summarized in this publication.