Friday, November 15, 2024

Framatome’s PROtect technology incorporates chromium-coated plating that significantly improves oxidation resistance, improves mechanical performance at high temperatures, and reduces hydrogen generation in the unlikely event of a loss of cooling.

Fuel rods using Framatome’s E-ATF accident tolerance enhanced fuel technology completed four 12-month operating cycles at Switzerland’s Gösgen nuclear power plant earlier this year. Leaded fuel rods consist of advanced Framatome chromium layer added to state-of-the-art M5Framatome zirconium alloy plating, with uranium dioxide (UO2) fuel pellets for some and UO2 enhanced fuel pellets for others. The fuel assembly was manufactured at Framatome’s manufacturing facility in Lingen, Germany.

Visual examinations as well as dimensional change measurement examinations were conducted during the plant’s scheduled refueling and maintenance outage in the spring. These confirmed the expected results and the excellent performance already observed at the end of the previous three cycles of these chromium coated leaded fuel rods.

These leaded fuel rods have now been reintroduced for a fifth operational cycle, further extending PROtect’s demonstration of enhanced safety and economic potential for utilities.

“This is the latest demonstration of PROtect’s technological advancement and our commitment to bringing new and innovative solutions to market,” said Lionel Gaiffe, senior executive vice president of the Framatome Fuel business unit. “The success of this project reflects the strong collaboration between Framatome and our customers, which is crucial for the industry and helps meet future energy needs.”

Framatome said its PROtect Enhanced Accident Tolerant Fuel program has accumulated operational experience in six reactors globally, covering five different reactor types.

Accident-tolerant fuel is a term used to describe new technologies that increase the tolerance of light water reactor fuel under severe accident conditions, as well as provide improvements in reactor performance and economy. Such fuels may include the use of new materials and designs for cladding and fuel pellets.

Three suppliers – Framatome, GE Hitachi with GNF and Westinghouse – are working with the US Department of Energy to develop new fuels under its Accident Tolerant Fuel Program.