Eighteen bundles of modified VVER-440 fuel have been loaded into unit 3 at Hungary's Paks nuclear power plant, Russian fuel company TVEL has announced.
The new fuel will gradually be introduced at all four operating reactors at the Paks nuclear plant.
Development of the new VVER-440 fuel modification was completed earlier this year under the contract between TVEL JSC and MVM Paks NPP Ltd. The new fuel design optimises tthe hydro-uranium ratio in the reactor core, increasing efficiency of fuel usage and improving the economic performance of the power plant operation.
All VVER-440 fuel modifications are manufactured at the Elemash Machine-Building Plant, a facility of TVEL Fuel Company in Elektrostal, Moscow Region.
“Introduction of a new fuel is an option to improve technical and economic performance of a nuclear power plant without substantial investment," said Natalia Nikipelova, President of TVEL JSC.
TVEL is "actively engaged" in development of new models and modifications of VVER-440 fuel for power plants in Europe, including at Loviisa in Finland, Dukovany in the Czech Republic, and Mochovce and Bohunice in Slovakia. Projects are at diffenrt stages of developement.
"Despite the same reactor model, these projects are quite different technically and conceptually, since we take into account the individual needs and requirements of our customers,” Nikipelova said.
Photo: Reactor hall at Hungary's Paks nuclear plant (credit: Paks NPP)
