AP1000 core design with 50% MOX loading

The European uility requirements (EUR) document states that the next generation European passive plant (EPP) reactor core design shall be optimized for UO₂ fuel assemblies, with provisions made to allow for up to 50% mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel assemblies. The use of MOX in the core design will have significant impacts on key physics parameters and safety analysis assumptions. Furthermore, the MOX fuel rod design must also consider fuel performance criterion important to maintaining the integrity of the fuel rod over its intended lifetime. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that the AP1000 is capable of complying with the EUR requirement for MOX utilization without significant changes to the design of the plant. The analyses documented within will compare a 100% UO₂ core design and a mixed MOX/UO₂ core design, discussing relevant results related to reactivity management, power margin and fuel rod performance.