At the Chepetsky Mechanical Plant (part of Rosatom's Fuel Division), production of fuel rods (fuel element for a nuclear reactor) with a chromium coating for Russian ATF fuel (Advanced Technology Fuel, also called "tolerant" fuel – Accident Tolerant Fuel, that is, nuclear fuel that is resistant to emergency situations at a nuclear power plant) has begun. This was reported by the corporation's press service.
At ChMP, an installation for applying chromium coatings to shells made of traditional zirconium alloy has been put into operation.
The company has also launched a complex of analytical and research equipment that allows assessing the adhesion, structure and thickness of the coating. Experts have released a pilot batch of chrome-plated fuel rod cladding.
Since 2021, the VVER-1000 reactor at the Rostov NPP has been undergoing pilot operation of three combined fuel assemblies with individual fuel rods in ATF design. At the same time, each VVER-1000 fuel cassette contains 312 fuel rods.
After the manufacture of several fuel cassettes with ATF fuel, their pilot operation in a high-power reactor will begin. This will help to make a decision on the industrial production of "tolerant" fuel.
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