Nuclear energy is used around the world and there are several different types of reactors, but there is a reactor that surpasses them all with its new innovations and is environmentally friendly. The CANDU reactor is a reactor that was developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s in Canada. CANDU stands for Canada Deuterium Uranium because it was designed by Canadian scientists, uses deuterium oxide and requires uranium as fuel. The deuterium is sometimes called heavy water because it’s about 10% heavier than normal water. All of the reactors currently in use in Canada are CANDU reactors.  It is one of the most productive and safe reactors in the world. CANDU reactors have been constructed in many countries all over the world. The CANDU reactor is the most efficient of all reactors in using uranium: it uses about 15% less uranium than a pressurized water reactor for each megawatt of electricity produced (CANDU Owners Group Inc, 2007). This is a very good economical step for Canadians. The CANDU reactor uses natural uranium which does not have to be enriched and widens the source of supply and makes fuel fabrication easier and less costly. Most countries can manufacture the relatively inexpensive fuel, and with the CANDU reactor energy does not cost a lot to produce. (CANDU Owners Group Inc, 2007).

Nuclear energy is used around the world and there are several different types of reactors, but there is a reactor that surpasses them all with its new innovations and is environmentally friendly. The CANDU reactor is a reactor that was developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s in Canada. CANDU stands for Canada Deuterium Uranium because it was designed by Canadian scientists, uses deuterium oxide and requires uranium as fuel. The deuterium is sometimes called heavy water because it’s about 10% heavier than normal water. All of the reactors currently in use in Canada are CANDU reactors.  It is one of the most productive and safe reactors in the world. CANDU reactors have been constructed in many countries all over the world. The CANDU reactor is the most efficient of all reactors in using uranium: it uses about 15% less uranium than a pressurized water reactor for each megawatt of electricity produced (CANDU Owners Group Inc, 2007). This is a very good economical step for Canadians. The CANDU reactor uses natural uranium which does not have to be enriched and widens the source of supply and makes fuel fabrication easier and less costly. Most countries can manufacture the relatively inexpensive fuel, and with the CANDU reactor energy does not cost a lot to produce. (CANDU Owners Group Inc, 2007).

With the new reactor there is no need for a uranium enrichment facility which causes an abundance of pollution. (CANDU Owners Group Inc, 2007). In this revolutionary reactor fuel reprocessing is not needed, so costs, facilities and waste disposal associated with reprocessing are avoided and pollution is minimized as much as possible, therefore making the CANDU very safe and economical. (CANDU Owners Group Inc, 2007). Reactors like the CANDU can be fuelled with many things, like uranium (used the most) and other minerals. CANDU reactors can be fuelled with a number of other low-fissile content fuels, including spent fuel from light water reactors. This reduces dependency on uranium in the event of future supply shortages and price increases (CANDU Owners Group Inc, 2007). Reactors are composed of many different stages of processing and of energy producing facilities. Reactor cores are comprised of small diameter fuel channels rather than one large pressure vessel, so the energy that is produced is split up into sections. (CANDU Owners Group Inc, 2007). It also allows on-power refuelling, a unique feature which makes the CANDU reactor very efficient. (CANDU Owners Group Inc, 2007). One of the great innovations of CANDU is the moveable fuel bundles in the pressure tubes allow maximum burn-up of all the fuel in the reactor core, thus producing a good amount of energy at an efficient rate. (CANDU Owners Group Inc, 2007). The new design of the CANDU reactor extends its life expectancy because major core components like fuel channels are accessible for repairs when necessary. Improved safety features such as two fast acting safety shutdown systems are also impressive. (CANDU Owners Group Inc, 2007). This is great example of Canadian scientific development and innovation.

With the new reactor there is no need for a uranium enrichment facility which causes an abundance of pollution. (CANDU Owners Group Inc, 2007). In this revolutionary reactor fuel reprocessing is not needed, so costs, facilities and waste disposal associated with reprocessing are avoided and pollution is minimized as much as possible, therefore making the CANDU very safe and economical. (CANDU Owners Group Inc, 2007). Reactors like the CANDU can be fuelled with many things, like uranium (used the most) and other minerals. CANDU reactors can be fuelled with a number of other low-fissile content fuels, including spent fuel from light water reactors. This reduces dependency on uranium in the event of future supply shortages and price increases (CANDU Owners Group Inc, 2007). Reactors are composed of many different stages of processing and of energy producing facilities. Reactor cores are comprised of small diameter fuel channels rather than one large pressure vessel, so the energy that is produced is split up into sections. (CANDU Owners Group Inc, 2007). It also allows on-power refuelling, a unique feature which makes the CANDU reactor very efficient. (CANDU Owners Group Inc, 2007). One of the great innovations of CANDU is the moveable fuel bundles in the pressure tubes allow maximum burn-up of all the fuel in the reactor core, thus producing a good amount of energy at an efficient rate. (CANDU Owners Group Inc, 2007). The new design of the CANDU reactor extends its life expectancy because major core components like fuel channels are accessible for repairs when necessary. Improved safety features such as two fast acting safety shutdown systems are also impressive. (CANDU Owners Group Inc, 2007). This is great example of Canadian scientific development and innovation.

CANDU Reactor