Framatome Gains U.S. Approval to Transport Higher Enriched Nuclear Fuel

Reuters Events SMR and Advanced Reactor 2025

Framatome Gains U.S. Approval to Transport Higher Enriched Nuclear Fuel
by Erica Marchand
Paris, France (SPX) Aug 30, 2024

Framatome has secured approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for a license amendment that permits the transportation of fresh nuclear fuel assemblies within the United States with uranium-235 enrichments up to 8 weight percent. This transportation will be conducted using Framatome's existing TN-B1 shipping containers, designed for boiling water reactor (BWR) fuel assemblies. This development enables Framatome to provide advanced fuel products aimed at enhancing electricity generation and fuel efficiency for light water reactor operators. The new fuel products are expected to significantly improve safety, reliability, and economic performance across the nuclear industry.

"This is a major step toward our commitment to be reload ready with higher enriched and higher burnup fuel by 2027 for the current nuclear fleet," said Lionel Gaiffe, senior executive vice president, Fuel Business Unit at Framatome. "We appreciate the support from the NRC in our initiative to deliver advanced fuel products to the industry, and this regulatory milestone further demonstrates our leadership."

Higher enrichment and burnup capabilities in nuclear fuel offer substantial operational benefits, including greater flexibility in reactor performance. This flexibility allows nuclear operators to extend fuel cycle times and design more efficient core configurations, ultimately boosting plant economics.

The NRC's approval is one of several recent regulatory achievements for Framatome as the company strives to introduce higher enriched fuel to the market. The NRC also recently approved Framatome's application of its Advanced Codes and Methods for pressurized water reactors (PWR) operating with uranium-235 enrichments exceeding the industry standard of 5 weight percent. Additionally, Framatome received approval for a license amendment to transport fresh PWR nuclear fuel assemblies in the U.S. with uranium-235 enrichments up to 8 weight percent.

These milestones are part of Framatome's Advanced Fuel Management program, which is focused on developing advanced fuel technology for the existing light water reactor fleet. The new fuel assemblies will be manufactured at Framatome's nuclear fuel production facility in Richland, Washington.