Framatome's PROtect fuel achieves key milestone at Gosgen Nuclear Plant in Switzerland

Framatome's PROtect fuel achieves key milestone at Gosgen Nuclear Plant in Switzerland
by Erica Marchand
Paris, France (SPX) Nov 15, 2024

Framatome's PROtect Enhanced Accident Tolerant Fuel (E-ATF) technology has reached an important operational benchmark at Switzerland's Gosgen Nuclear Power Plant. This development marks the first instance of accident tolerant fuel technology featuring full-length fuel rods exceeding 60 GWd/tU, reinforcing its commercial readiness and supporting ongoing licensing initiatives.

During the scheduled spring maintenance at the Swiss plant, comprehensive visual inspections and measurements of dimensional changes were performed after four 12-month operational cycles. The results aligned with previous cycles' positive outcomes, confirming the superior performance of the chromium-coated lead fuel rods. These rods have now been reinserted for a fifth operational cycle, showcasing PROtect's potential for enhanced safety and cost benefits for energy providers.

"This achievement underscores the progress of our PROtect technology and our commitment to delivering new and innovative solutions to the market," said Lionel Gaiffe, Senior Executive Vice President of Framatome's Fuel Business Unit. "Our strong partnerships with clients are essential for industry growth and future energy solutions."

PROtect technology, featuring chromium-coated cladding, offers improved oxidation resistance, superior mechanical behavior at elevated temperatures, and reduced hydrogen production during a cooling loss scenario.

"Framatome's E-ATF technology facilitates an easy transition to safety-enhanced core loadings without modifications to the fuel assembly design," said Rene Sarrafian, Head of the Nuclear Fuel Division and Plant Vice Director at the Gosgen Nuclear Power Plant.

The lead fuel rods in Gosgen utilize M5Framatome zirconium alloy cladding coated with advanced chromium and contain UO2 fuel pellets, with some also including UO2 chromia-enhanced pellets. These rods were fabricated at Framatome's facility in Lingen, Germany, and were reloaded following inspections in 2024 for an additional cycle.

Framatome's PROtect E-ATF program has built up significant operational experience across six reactors and five different reactor types, solidifying its position as a leader in advanced nuclear fuel technology.