US-based Westinghouse Electric Company has produced new fuel pellets that contain slightly higher enrichment levels than those currently used in commercial reactors. The low enriched uranium plus (LEU+) ADOPT fuel pellets were pressed at Westinghouse’s Springfield fuel manufacturing facility in the UK. The specialised ADOPT fuel pellets were developed as part of the US Department of Energy (DOE) Accident Tolerant Fuel programme to improve the performance and safety of nuclear plants. The new fuel will be tested at unit 2 of the Vogtle NPP in Waynesboro, Georgia in 2025.
The pellets were made from a higher enriched uranium oxide power prepared by Idaho National Laboratory. The new LEU+ ADOPT fuel pellets can be enriched up to 8% of uranium 235 and also include additives that are expected to improve the safety performance of the fuel increased power levels. The higher enrichment allows the fuel to operate for longer periods in the reactor thereby reducing the number of outages needed for refuelling.
“The first production of LEU+ ADOPT fuel is a key step for achieving longer fuel cycles and reducing operational costs in the nuclear fuel industry,” said Tarik Choho, Westinghouse Nuclear Fuel President. “This significant milestone, which is part of our Encore Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF) programme, will help us provide safer, more economical, reliable, clean energy to our customers across the world.”
ADOPT fuel is one of several ATF concepts being supported through DOE’s programme, which aims to deliver new fuel pellet and cladding designs that could be commercialised before the end of the decade. The fuel pellets will be fabricated into pins and included in four lead test assemblies in the UK before being shipped to the US for irradiation testing the Vogtle NPP.
The demand for LEU+ ADOPT fuel in the range of 5-10%, enrichment which reduces the number of outages needed in nuclear plants is expected to grow significantly in the coming years due to the increased demand for carbon-free electricity.
