Smolensk Nuclear Power Plant Is Switching to an Advanced Fuel Type
The move is expected to help extend the facility’s operating life.
Smolensk Nuclear Power Plant is switching to an advanced type of nuclear fuel. Fuel assemblies with lower uranium-235 enrichment and a reduced content of erbium oxide are being loaded into Unit 1 in stages.
“The need to change the fuel composition arose because work is being carried out on the unit to manage the service-life characteristics of the graphite core in order to improve safety and extend the unit’s operating life,” said Anatoly Karpinsky, deputy chief engineer at Smolensk Nuclear Power Plant.
A detailed analysis of various reactor operating modes was conducted before the fuel assemblies were loaded. New software tools were also certified. Their bench testing was carried out with the participation of specialists from the Nuclear Safety and Reliability Department and the Thermal Automation and Instrumentation Department.
According to experts, the switch to the new fuel type will ultimately help extend the operating lives of power facilities.
