PRESS RELEASE July 21, 2021
Framatome achieves milestone in development of advanced fuel technology
July 21, 2021 – Framatome has achieved a significant milestone toward implementing nuclear fuel at higher enrichments and burnups. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recently accepted for review a topical report to apply the company’s suite of Advanced Codes and Methods to operating conditions with uranium-235 enrichments above the industry standard of 5 weight percent. This submittal is a critical step toward introducing advanced products with increased enrichments and burnups, which improve fuel utilization to nuclear plant operators, and systematically improve safety and plant economics. “The Framatome team continues to evolve our fuel solutions as part of our commitment to bringing advanced, economical technologies to the industry,” said Lionel Gaiffe, senior executive vice president, Fuel Business Unit at Framatome. “Submitting this topical report to the NRC is an important step in realizing the full potential of our fuel technology, which will help to enhance safety and economics for utilities.” Framatome’s advanced codes and methods provide significant operational margin gains. These margins Framatome operator performs a visual inspection for an provide nuclear plant operators with the flexibility to advanced nuclear fuel assembly extend their reactor performance when coupled with the company’s nuclear fuel technology with characteristics such as higher enrichments and burnup.
This topical report will demonstrate that Framatome can effectively model reactor behavior in the evaluation of neutronic, thermal hydraulic, loss-of-coolant-accident (LOCA), small- and large-break LOCA, and thermal-mechanical performance at higher enrichments and burnup.
About Framatome Framatome is an international leader in nuclear energy recognized for its innovative solutions and value added technologies for the global nuclear fleet. With worldwide expertise and a proven track record for reliability and performance, the company designs, services and installs components, fuel, and instrumentation and control systems for nuclear power plants. Its more than 14,000 employees work every day to help Framatome’s customers supply ever cleaner, safer and more economical low-carbon energy. Visit us at: www.framatome.com, and follow us on Twitter: @Framatome_ and LinkedIn: Framatome. Framatome is owned by the EDF Group (75.5%), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI – 19.5%) and Assystem (5%).
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