Russia’s Rosatom has offered more Advanced Technology Fuel (ATF) to India’s largest nuclear power station at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu. The new technology comes with an extended 24-months fuel cycle.
- The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited is the project proponent of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP).
Benefits of modern Advanced Technology Fuel (ATF)
- Rosatom’s nuclear fuel division, TVEL Fuel Company, is the current supplier of TVS – 2 M fuel for the two VVER (water-water energy reactor) 1,000 MWe reactors generating power in the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP).
- This fuel has an 18-month fuel cycle, meaning that the reactor has to be stopped for fresh fuel loading every one-and-a-half years.
- TVEL has now offered the more modern Advanced Technology Fuel (ATF). It’s fuel cycle is a whopping 24 months.
- Extending the fuel cycle means that the reactor will stop for fresh fuel loading only once in 24 months and thus will generate more electricity every year, result in purchase of fewer fresh fuel assemblies, need lesser resources required for offloading used fuel bundles from the reactor once in 24 months etc.
About VVER
The VVER is a pressurized water reactor (PWR), the commonest type of nuclear reactor worldwide, employing light water as coolant and moderator.
However there are some significant differences between the VVER and other PWR types, both in terms of design and materials used. Distinguishing features of the VVER include the following:
- Use of horizontal steam generators;
- Use of hexagonal fuel assemblies;
- Avoidance of bottom penetrations in the VVER vessel;
- Use of high-capacity pressurizers.
(Source: The Hindu and Rosatom)
