New type of fuel to be tested at Leningrad NPP
ST.PETERSBURG. Dec 4 (Interfax) - A new type of nuclear fuel with a higher content of uranium will be tested for the first time at the Leningrad nuclear power plant, the company's press service reported on Friday.
The first trial batch of 200 fuel assemblies, made using knew know-how, will be delivered to the nuclear power plant before the end of the year and tested in Power Generating Unit 1. The Russian technical safety watchdog Rostekhnadzor has given its go-ahead to the use of the new fuel assemblies, the press service said.
The new fuel will help save about 6% of uranium without lowering the effectiveness of the fuel, and extend the fuel assemblies' service life.
"Following a thorough analysis of the new fuel's performance, experts will decide on its further use in other RBMK-1000 reactors, it said.
The Leningrad nuclear power plant is a branch of the Energoatom power generating concern, 100% owned by the Atomenergoprom operator of nuclear power plants.
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