Korean accident-resistant fuel begins in-reactor testing
A demonstration accident-resistant nuclear fuel assembly has been loaded into the core of unit 6 of the Hanul nuclear power plant, marking the first time in Korea that such a fuel assembly has been loaded into a reactor, Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power announced.
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A ceremony was held on 1 July to commemorate the loading of the accident-resistant nuclear fuel demonstration assembly, which comprises 236 fuel rods. It was attended by KHNP CEO Hwang Joo-ho and executives from related organisations.
Accident-tolerant fuel is a term used to describe new technologies that enhance the tolerance of light-water reactor fuel under severe accident conditions as well as offering improvements to reactor performance and economics. Such fuels may incorporate the use of new materials and designs for cladding and fuel pellets.
KHNP, together with Kepco Nuclear Fuel (KNF), began developing accident-resistant nuclear fuel in 2017 as part of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's core nuclear technology project, and successfully completed the technology development in 2022. After that, it began combustion testing of a demonstration fuel rod in unit 2 of the Saeul plant in May 2024, and since last month, it has loaded four demonstration assemblies into unit 6 of the Hanul plant and is currently conducting combustion tests.
The developed accident-resistant nuclear fuel - referred to as HIPER16 (for High Performance with Efficiency and Reliability) - consists of a chromium-coated cladding and enhanced-performance fuel pellets. KNF said the fuel "provides superior safety compared to existing nuclear fuel, thereby securing the safety margin of nuclear power plants".
KNF obtained a licence in February this year from the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission to commercially load a HIPER16 fuel assembly into Hanul units 5 and 6.
KHNP said it plans to conduct combustion tests until 2029 and complete commercialisation of the fuel by obtaining post-survey tests and permits.
"The accident-resistant nuclear fuel developed with our own domestic technology will become the foundation for improving the safety of nuclear power plants and exporting nuclear power plants," Hwang Joo-ho said. "We will continue to work on developing technologies that can improve the safety of nuclear power plants."
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