Specialists from TVEL, Rosatom's fuel division, have launched a pilot production line for the isotope — nitrogen-15. The technology was developed at the Bochvar Institute in Moscow, where the first batch of the product has already been obtained.
The nitrogen-15 isotope will become a key component of high-density uranium-plutonium nitride fuel, known as SNUP. The material is intended for fast neutron reactors — one of the most promising technologies in nuclear energy. Replacing natural nitrogen with nitrogen-15 in the fuel reduces the formation of unwanted radioactive isotopes in the core, increases the lifespan and efficiency of fuel assemblies, and simplifies the handling of spent fuel.
As part of a research project, an enlarged laboratory stand for separating nitrogen isotopes in two-phase gas-liquid systems was deployed at the Bochvar Institute site. Engineers selected the optimal enrichment modes, conducted a series of tests, and produced the first batch of highly enriched nitrogen-15. The next step is to scale up the process to tonnage volumes, which will allow TVEL to organize the serial production of the isotope within the existing production infrastructure.
