News
22.07.2024
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Science. Rosatom researchers confirmed that high-power VVER nuclear fuel can be used safely and reliably in load-following mode. To do this, they studied the behavior of fuel elements with different fuel compositions in the MIR research reactor located at the Research Institute of Atomic Reactors (RIAR, part of Rosatom). The researchers simulated daily variations of nominal thermal power within the 40% to 100% range in VVER-1200 reactors. The tests lasted 224 days, with 218 power ascension and descension cycles completed. The results of in-pile and post-irradiation studies confirmed the fuel’s operational capability in intraday load following. “This is another step towards demonstrating the feasibility of operating Russian-designed high-power reactors in load-following mode. Our research into more efficient nuclear generation is attracting much interest from the operators of Russian-built nuclear stations abroad,” said Alexander Ugryumov, Senior Vice President for Research and Development at TVEL (part of Rosatom).
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Cooperation. Rosatom’s fuel division TVEL and the Ministry of Energy of Belarus discussed cooperation across the front end and back end of the nuclear fuel cycle. TVEL top managers told their Belarusian colleagues about the current situation in the world front-end markets, including mining, conversion and enrichment of natural uranium. The parties also discussed Rosatom’s innovative nuclear fuel solutions that can improve the operational efficiency of the Belarusian NPP. Other topics at the meeting included the decommissioning program for the Belarusian NPP operating units, development of the infrastructure for radioactive waste management in Belarus, and training of relevant professionals. The Russian delegation also visited the Belarusian NPP. The first nuclear power plant in Belarus, it consists of two power units with VVER-1200 reactors built by Rosatom and running on nuclear fuel produced by the subsidiaries of the Russian nuclear corporation.
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Construction sites. AEM SpetsStal (a steel-making facility of Rosatom’s mechanical engineering division) manufactured a large batch of billets to be processed into the equipment for Unit 1 of Egypt’s El Dabaa NPP. 24 large-size billets weighing over 650 tonnes were shipped to three of Rosatom’s manufacturing sites. They will be used to make primary circuit components, including the reactor pressure vessel, pressurizer, and primary coolant pipes. Another production facility of Rosatom’s mechanical engineering division, PetrozavodskMash, proceeded to manufacture pipes for the reactor island of El Dabaa Unit 1. Workers began cladding the pipes intended for the primary coolant loop. The total weight of the set of pipes will amount to 276 tonnes. Rosatom is building four VVER-1200 power reactors in Egypt.