Observations of high burnup structure in AGR fuel

Nuclear power plants (NPPs) within the UK are largely of the commercial advanced gas-cooled reactor (AGR) design. The key elements of the reactor and fuel design differ somewhat to those seen in Light Water Reactors (LWRs), most markedly the cladding, an austenitic stainless steel, and annular ceramic UO2 fuel pellets. The graphite moderated AGR cores also experience much higher temperatures than PWR (Pressurised water reactor) cores.