CANDU meaning

CANDU refers, in energy and nuclear regulatory practice, to a Canadian-designed power reactor: a pressurised heavy water reactor (PHWR) often cited in contracts, licences, safety cases and export-control materials. The acronym (Canada Deuterium Uranium) denotes use of deuterium-oxide (heavy water) as moderator (typically also coolant) and uranium fuel (originally natural uranium), with fuel bundles in pressure tubes permitting on-power refuelling. The term is descriptive engineering usage, not defined in UK or Irish legislation or case law, though it is routinely used in technical schedules and regulatory submissions. CANDU is a registered trademark associated with atomic energy of Canada Limited and used under licence by Candu Energy Inc. All commercial power reactors operating in Canada are CANDU units; similar PHWRs operate elsewhere. No CANDU reactors operate in the UK or Ireland. For UK and Ireland practitioners the designation can affect technology selection, nuclear site licensing and safety assessment, fuel-cycle and heavy-water supply, export controls, liability and insurance, decommissioning planning, waste characterisation, and cross-border transport of radioactive material. Usage and legal treatment are broadly consistent across England & Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland.