Westinghouse has successfully manufactured its inaugural batch of nuclear fuel pellets containing higher uranium enrichment levels than currently used in commercial reactors.
These Low Enriched Uranium Plus (LEU+) Advanced Doped Pellet Technology (ADOPT) fuel pellets are engineered to enhance both the performance and safety of nuclear power plants.
Enrichment and Benefits
LEU+ ADOPT fuel is composed of up to 8% by weight uranium-235 (U-235) and includes additives that elevate the safety performance of the fuel in comparison to standard uranium dioxide.
Compared to the standard 3-5% U-235 enrichment in low-enriched uranium, LEU+ ADOPT empowers reactors to generate more power with fewer replacement bundles, thus improving the economics of the nuclear fuel cycle for operational reactors.
Production Milestone
The initial LEU+ ADOPT fuel pellets have been successfully pressed at Westinghouse’s Springfields fuel manufacturing facility located in Lancashire, northwest England, UK.
Collaboration and Innovation
The company has stated that this accomplishment was achieved through collaboration with the US utility Southern Nuclear and support from the US Department of Energy (DOE).
The pellets were crafted from higher enriched uranium oxide powder, which was prepared by DOE’s Idaho National Laboratory. This marks the first instance where DOE material has been utilized to support the enrichment of a commercial uranium oxide fuel beyond 5%.
Testing and Implementation
The first LEU+ ADOPT fuel pellets will be fabricated into pins and integrated into four lead test assemblies within the UK.
Subsequently, they will be transported to the USA for irradiation testing at unit 2 of Southern Nuclear’s Vogtle plant in Georgia next year.
Regulatory Approvals
In March 2023, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) granted approval for the utilization of Westinghouse’s ADOPT fuel pellets in pressurized water reactors across the USA.
Furthermore, in October, Southern Nuclear announced that it had received authorization from the NRC to employ advanced nuclear fuel enriched up to 6% U-235 at Vogtle unit 2.
This signifies the first time a US commercial reactor has been authorized to use fuel exceeding 5% enrichment.
Growing Demand
According to Westinghouse, the demand for LEU+ ADOPT fuel, with enrichments ranging from 5-10%, is projected to surge in the coming years.
This fuel reduces the frequency of outages required in nuclear plants and aligns with the increasing demand for carbon-free electricity.
Enhanced Safety and Economics
Tarik Choho, President of Westinghouse Nuclear Fuel, remarked, “The first production of LEU+ ADOPT fuel represents a pivotal step towards achieving longer fuel cycles and reducing operational costs in the nuclear fuel industry.”
He further stated, “This significant milestone, which is part of our EnCore Accident Tolerant Fuel program, will enable us to provide safer, more economical, reliable, and clean energy to our customers globally.”
Accident Tolerant Fuel Program
ADOPT fuel constitutes one of several accident-tolerant fuel concepts being supported through DOE’s Accident Tolerant Fuel program.
This program strives to deliver innovative fuel pellet and cladding designs that could be commercialized before the end of the decade.