Kazatomprom certified to produce AFA 3G TM type A fuel assemblies
ASTANA. Jan 9 (Interfax) - Kazatomprom has been qualified for the production of AFA 3G TM type A fuel assemblies, Kazakhstan's national nuclear company said in a press release.
Kazatomprom announce the successful completion of qualification process for production of AFA 3G TM type A fuel assemblies at Kazakh-Chinese Joint Venture Ulba-FA LLP, which produces nuclear fuel for Chinese nuclear power plants.
"The document confirming the technical compliance of the product with all the mandatory quality requirements, norms and standards was provided by Framatome, holder of technology," the press release says.
The work on qualification of fuel assemblies' production started in March 2023 and was implemented in four stages. As a result, the plant successfully received the confirmation on the quality of its products. The qualification allows the plant to produce AFA 3G TM type A fuel assemblies, in addition to AFA 3G TM AA fuel assemblies, thus expanding the product line.
Kazatomprom plans in 2024 to commission industrial production of AFA 3GTM type A fuel assemblies and supply a batch of fuel assemblies of the respective type to nuclear power plants in China, according to the press release.
A fuel assembly is a structure consisting of fuel rods filled with uranium pellets. These assemblies are used as the fuel for nuclear power plants. The uranium pellets for fuel assemblies are manufactured by UMP JSC.
The Ulba-FA plant, with a production capacity of 200 tonnes of uranium in the form of fuel assemblies per year, has a guaranteed sales market for 20 years ahead. The launch of innovative production allowed Kazakhstan to enter a limited circle of countries that produce and supply nuclear fuel for nuclear power plants.
Kazatomprom is one of the largest producers of uranium in the world. The company also processes rare metals, produces and sells beryllium and tantalum products. The company's shares and GDRs are traded on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and on the Astana International Exchange (AIX) of the Astana International Financial Center (AIFC).