Framatome advances industrial production of new high-density nuclear fuel in Europe

Framatome advances industrial production of new high-density nuclear fuel in Europe
by Erica Marchand
Paris, France (SPX) Apr 22, 2024

Framatome, in collaboration with the Technical University of Munich (TUM), is initiating the industrial production of Europe's first molybdenum-uranium (U-Mo) monolithic fuel, a low-enriched but highly dense uranium fuel for the FRM II research reactor in Germany, managed by TUM. This innovation marks a major advancement in fuel technology, promising enhanced performance for research reactors.

The creation of the U-Mo fuel involved Framatome CERCA's Research and Innovation Laboratory (CRIL) and TUM, who together developed the manufacturing steps needed for high-quality production, including prototyping and establishing a pilot production line in Romans. This fuel is critical for the long-term operation of FRM II, a reactor integral to material science research and neutron supply for industry and academia.

Francois Gauche, Vice-President of CERCA at Framatome, highlighted the project's significance, stating, "We have been working on this project since 2019 and we are proud to celebrate this important milestone with our client. Our teams rose to the challenge of developing a high-tech fuel to meet the needs of research reactors and ensure their sustainability. We are now ready to take this to the next level and manufacture this innovative fuel."

Currently, the FRM II reactor uses high-enriched uranium fuel, producing a dense neutron flux crucial for scientific experiments and medical radioisotope production. A transition to low-enriched uranium began in 2019 when TUM and Framatome developed the U-Mo foil manufacturing technique to maintain reactor performance.

Prof. Dr. Christian Pfleiderer, Scientific Director of FRM II, expressed satisfaction with the progress: "FRM II and Framatome have been working since 2019 to set up a European production line for monolithic U-Mo fuel. The hard work of our teams has paid off. This new fuel is the guarantee for a reliable and sustainable supply of neutrons for research and innovation."

Framatome's U-Mo fuel, first manufactured in 2022, enables the FRM II to operate at high performance levels using low-enriched uranium. The first irradiation tests of the monolithic U-Mo fuel plate prototype are planned for late 2024.

FRM II is a leading global research reactor and neutron source, renowned for its neutron scattering capabilities and production of critical materials for the renewable energy sector and medical diagnostics.

Inaugurated in 2019, Framatome CERCA's CRIL facility in Romans-sur-Isere focuses on developing uranium-based fuel for global nuclear research and medicine.