New News information at Nuclear Engineering International

Framatome to start production of innovative fuel for German research reactor

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT

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Framatome and Germany’s Technical University of Munich (TUM) have signed a cooperation agreement to establish an industrial manufacturing process for molybdenum-uranium (U-Mo) monolithic fuel for TUM’s Forschungs-Neutronenquelle Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II) research reactor in Germany. This low-enriched fuel will benefit from the highest uranium fuel density ever realised in Europe for research reactor operations.

Sheffield Forgemasters granted ASME status

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 16:00:00 GMT

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UK-based Sheffield Forgemasters has been awarded a strategic nuclear qualification, which the company says positions it to support development and delivery of the next generation of civil NPPs. The nuclear qualification came after an American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Section III Division I NCA 3300 (NCA 3800), NCA 4000 and NQA-1 Code survey and audit, recommended it for Material Organisation (MO), and welding (NPT) accreditations.

Engineering and geological research completed for Yakutia SMR

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 15:00:00 GMT

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Russian company Orgenergostroy has completed a complex of engineering and geological surveys to develop design documentation for the construction of a low-power NPP (ASMM - Atomnoi Stantsii Maloi Moshnosti) in the village of Ust-Kuyga in Yakutia. This project is the first ground-based low-power NPP in Russia based on the latest RITM-200N reactor plant. The RITM-200 reactor unit was previously used on atomic icebreakers and nuclear submarines, and has been adapted for use in a low-power NPP on land.

Ongoing drone attacks heighten concerns over nuclear safety at Zaporizhia NPP

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 14:30:00 GMT

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The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in its latest update on the Zaporizhia NPP (ZNPP) said it was informed about a further attempted drone attack on the plant’s training centre, which caused no damage or casualties. It was the third reported attack targeting the training facility recently, following two such incidents the previous week. ZNPP told the IAEA team stationed at the site that the drone had been “neutralised”, without giving further details. The IAEA team heard an explosion at the same time that ZNPP subsequently reported the attempted drone attack took place. The team was denied access to the training centre just outside the ZNPP site perimeter to assess the incident, with the plant citing potential security risks.

AtkinsRéalis opens new technology centre in Washington

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 14:00:00 GMT

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Canada-based AtkinsRéalis (part of the SNC-Lavalin Group) has opened its new $20m AtkinsRéalis Technology Center (ATC) in Richland, Washington state. AtkinsRéalis said the ATC will be used to further develop “innovative nuclear and environmental cleanup technologies, engineering net zero (ENZ) and hydrogen clean energy advancements, digital solutions and robotics implementation”.

WEC begins construction of heavy machining and nuclear fabrication facility

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 13:30:00 GMT

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WEC Group, a key player in the UK's subcontract manufacturing sector, has begun construction on a new state-of-the-art, 60,000 sq ft heavy machining and nuclear fabrication facility in Blackburn. This new development marks a significant milestone in the Group's ongoing expansion strategy and cements its position as the premier subcontract manufacturing business in the UK.

UK nuclear waste storage facility reported to have breached its environmental

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 13:00:00 GMT

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The UK Environment Agency (EA) has written to the Drigg Low Level Waste Repository (LLWR) in Cumbria with concerns about a delay in securing waste at the site, the BBC has reported. Nuclear Waste Services (NWS), which operates Drigg, said the delays did not impact the surrounding area and that they had taken the time to ensure the right solutions were created for the safe disposal of nuclear waste.

Second stage of containment installed for Brest-OD-300 reactor

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 12:00:00 GMT

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The second stage of the containment for Russia’s lead-cooled Brest-OD-300 fast reactor has been completed at the construction site on the territory of the Siberian Chemical Combine (part of Rosatom’s fuel company TVEL). The Brest-OD-300 reactor is part of the pilot demonstration power complex (ODEK - Opitno Demonstratsionovo Energo-Kompleksa), which is being developed under the Breakthrough (Proryv) project intended to demonstrate closed fuel cycle technology.

Constellation applies to renew licence for Dresden

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 11:30:00 GMT

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US power company Constellation has filed a licence renewal application with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for its Dresden Clean Energy Centre in Illinois. Dresden units 2&3 are 790 MWe (net) General Electric BWR-3 boiling water reactors, which began operation in 1970 and 1971. Dresden 1 operated from 1960 to 1978 and is now undergoing decommissioning.

Tritium levels below operational limits in latest release of Fukushima Daiichi treated water

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 11:00:00 GMT

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International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts have confirmed that the tritium concentration in the fifth batch of diluted ALPS treated water, which Japan’s Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) is now discharging to the sea is far below the country’s operational limit.