A Russian energy firm has started the operation of fifth-generation nuclear fuel assemblies, which have been loaded into the VVER-1200 reactor core of Novovoronezh.
The process performed at Rosatom facility is an important stage on the way to closing the nuclear fuel cycle, which involves reusing spent nuclear fuel after it has been used to generate electricity in a reactor.
“One of the tasks for closing the nuclear fuel cycle within the dual-component nuclear power system is the introduction of fuel made of regenerated nuclear materials, including the classical thermal neutron reactors,” said Alexander Ugryumov, Senior Vice President for Research and Development at TVEL, the head company of the Fuel Division.
Industrial-scale production
Ugryumov highlighted that this requires the development of industrial-scale production, which should be fully automated, just like fuel fabrication for the fast reactors. The start of TVS-5 at Novovoronezh NPP is a necessary step for validation of such fabrication project. This is an important milestone achieved by the joint team from Rosatom’s Fuel, Energy and Machine-Building Divisions.
Rosatom revealed that at power unit No. 6 of Novovoronezh NPP, a batch of fifth-generation nuclear fuel assemblies TVS-5 has been loaded into the VVER-1200 reactor core for the first time. The refueling has been accomplished during the scheduled maintenance shutdown.
The fuel bundles manufactured by the Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant (an enterprise of Rosatom’s Fuel Division) will undergo a pilot operation in three 18-month fuel cycles, according to Rosatom.
Fully automated mode
The design features of TVS-5 enable fabrication of VVER-1200 fuel bundles in a fully automated mode, which is necessary for the development of industrial-scale fabrication of uranium-plutonium fuel for VVER reactors. This, in turn, is a part of the implementation of the strategic shift to the dual-component nuclear power system with a closed nuclear fuel cycle, according to a press release.
Rosatom highlighted that the bundles of the new design will undergo the pilot operation with a regular fuel matrix based on enriched uranium dioxide in compliance with the license issued by Rostechnadzor in strict coordination with the Russian national regulator.
Vladimir Povarov, Director of Novovoronezh NPP, stated that loading fifth-generation fuel into the VVER-1200 reactor core is an important stage on the way to closing the nuclear fuel cycle.
“We take an active part in the implementation of Rosatom’s key projects, which will make a significant contribution to the future of the Russian nuclear power industry and open new opportunities for the entire industry,” added Povarov.
Russia is seeking to develop a balanced, or closed, fuel cycle with reprocessing and fabrication of fresh uranium-plutonium fuel from used fuel, with circulation of nuclear fuel materials between a combination of thermal and fast neutron reactors. The aim is to allow the efficient reprocessing of irradiated nuclear fuel and reprocessing of useful uranium and plutonium, reported World Nuclear News.
