- Fresh fuel must be kept clean: any surface contaminants will be irradiated in the reactor and will thereafter contribute to the inventory of activation products in the coolant
- Cladding integrity is critical: a cladding breach leads to fission product release into the coolant, increased worker exposure, and costly shutdowns. Thorough quality control including non-destructive testing is essential before loading fuel into the reactor
- Protection during transport: fuel must be protected from chemical and mechanical damage during loading and transit. Transport uses specially designed containers meeting IAEA requirements for fissile materials
Lesson 3 ◆ 3.5 Unirradiated Fuel Hazards