Thermo-mechanic behavior simulation for fuel assemblies manufactured in Mexico with FEMAXI-VI code

• We make use FEMAXI-VI code to evaluate fuel rods performance from fuel assemblies manufactured in Mexico.
• The simulation covers the four cycles of operation remained within the reactor core.
• Several parameters are observed during operation in steady state.

The fuel manufacturing pilot facility from the National Institute for Nuclear Research (Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares, ININ) provided four GE9B type fuel assemblies to Laguna Verde Nuclear Power Plant (LVNPP). The fuel irradiation was performed at Unit 1 in CNLV during four operation cycles, highlighting the fact that in the third cycle, the four assemblies, after a certain amount of time, were placed at center of reactor core. In the Nuclear Systems Department (Departamento de Sistemas Nucleares, DSN) in ININ, studies have been performed to evaluate its neutronic performance, and be able to determine the exposure levels of such fuel. Also, the need to perform a thermo-mechanic behavior study for the fuel rods comprising the assemblies was proposed; this analysis was done with the FEMAXI-VI code.