The fuel rods are the main element of a fuel assembly, being the physical barrier between the fissile material and the reactor core. In ENUSA factory, the fuel rod, composed of different mechanical and nuclear components depending on its design, undergoes complex manufacturing and inspection processes that culminate in the final certification process that guarantees its quality.
The analysis of the fuel rod manufacturing and inspection cycle provides a global view of the design characteristics and process parameters that are controlled and verified through the application of inspection techniques and non-destructive test (NDT) equipment with the latest technology.
The final certification process also requires close monitoring of production processes as well as the product evaluation by performing destructive test (DT). Only through such an exhaustive and meticulous procedure will the design requirements and the correct final behavior of the fuel assembly in the reactor be guaranteed.
