Nuclear fuel to boost Leningrad, Rosatom
Release Date: 2010-01-26
A major uprate program is planned for the Leningrad power plant that should result in an extra 200 MWe of nuclear generating capacity. Three reactors at the power plant could benefit from a change to use uranium fuel at a higher level of enrichment. This will boost thermal power output, officials said, while increasing safety and using less uraniumThe swap from fuel enriched to 2.4% uranium-235 to new rods with an average enrichment of 3% will boost thermal power output by 5% which is enough to yield 200 MWe in net output across the three reactors that could eventually use the new fuel.
The first batch of new 3.65 m long fuel rods, enriched to 3.2% in the centre and 2.5% in the upper and lower portions, has been produced and delivered to the Leningrad plant. The rods include erbium to balance an increase in neutron flux within the reactor core. They should last 8-10 years.
Trial operation with the new fuel in Leningrad 2 was authorised by Rostechnadzor in late 2009 and is expected to start soon. Operating data and experience will be reported back to Rostechnadzor, along with an application to amend the reactor's operating licence to make the change permanent.
Technical organisations including the Kurchatov Institute, Nikiet and Vnipiet took part in the drafting of these plans.
Valery Lebedev, Director of Leningrad nuclear power plant, emphasised the benefits that the power boost would bring to the region, including related increases in tax payments to regional budgets.
| Type: | NORMAL |
| Company: | Rosatom |
| Country: | Russian Federation |