TVEL JSC and Kozloduy NPP (a part of national utility Bulgarian Energy Holding) organized International conference ‘Operation, Simulation and Experimental Support of VVER Fuel’ in Nesebar (Bulgaria).
Around 120 experts from 11 countries, as well as representatives of the IAEA and European Commission, took part in the event.
Participants of the conference discussed in detail the results of the operation of nuclear fuel in Russian and foreign VVER reactors, development of new fuel designs and modifications, findings of scientific research in promising areas, quality assurance of fuel fabrication and its operation safety, as well as issues of spent nuclear fuel management. Over 60 reports were given.
Mr. Alexey Shishkin, Head of the Department for nuclear fuel development and engineering services of TVEL JSC, told about key trends of development and implementation of new Russian design nuclear fuel. In particular, he noted that currently TVEL JSC has a total of 13 international contracts for engineering services related to fuel for VVER-440, VVER-1000 and VVER-1200 reactors. The speaker also told about the progress of projects for development and substantiation of a new modification of second generation VVER-400 fuel with optimized water-to-uranium ratio for Paks NPP (Hungary) and Loviisa NPP (Finland), for implementation of new fuel design RK-3 at Czech Dukovany NPP, as well as for implementation of Generation IV nuclear fuel for VVER-1000 reactors. He also mentioned that in 2019, in relation to VVER-1200 reactors there are plans to substantiate switching of one of the newest Russian NPPs with Generation 3+ Units from a 12-month to an 18-month fuel cycle.
A separate report covering the program of development of Russian accident tolerant fuel was presented by Mr. Vladimir Novikov, Deputy Director General for Science of VNIINM JSC (a part of TVEL Fuel Company).