Testing Begins On First Higher-Enriched Fuel In Us Commercial Reactor

In a first for the US nuclear power industry, Southern Nuclear has begun irradiation testing of higher-enriched fuel in a commercial reactor, signaling a potential shift in how nuclear plants operate and manage fuel cycles.

The test, conducted at Unit 2 of the Vogtle plant in Waynesboro, Georgia, involves using four lead test assemblies (LTAs) containing low-enriched uranium (LEU+) fuel developed by Westinghouse.

The fuel—enriched to nearly 6% uranium-235—exceeds the typical 3% to 5% enrichment used in commercial nuclear power plants and is now being tested under real-world operating conditions.

Fuel enriched beyond 5% has long been considered for commercial use, but this deployment is the first to pass regulatory and operational hurdles in the US The initiative is part of the US Department of Energy’s Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF) Program, aimed at improving safety margins, increasing reactor efficiency, and reducing overall operating costs.

Westinghouse said its LEU+ fuel, enriched above 5%, is intended to support extended fuel cycles, power uprates, and can help lower the costs of nuclear power plant operations by reducing the number of outages needed for refueling.

Have you read?Italy’s government announces support for nuclear start-up newcleoSellafield reaches nuclear robotics milestone with AtkinsRéalis

“Our goal is to operate our units for longer periods with higher output, and with higher enriched fuel, we’re even better positioned to meet the growing energy demands of the state of Georgia,” said Pete Sena, Southern Nuclear chairman, president and CEO.

The higher enriched fuel could help extend operation cycles from 18 to 24 months, according to the DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy.

The LTAs contain Westinghouse’s ADOPT fuel pellets, manufactured using uranium oxide powder that was first prepared by Idaho National Laboratory. The pellets also include additives to improve safety performance. They are encased in chromium coated cladding and AXIOM cladding to increase resistance to high-temperature oxidation and improve overall fuel performance under both normal and off-normal conditions.

The fuel assemblies were manufactured for Vogtle Unit 2 at Westinghouse’s Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility in Hopkins, South Carolina.

“LEU+ fuel is a perfect example of how we can help reduce the number of outages in nuclear power plants,” said Tarik Choho, Westinghouse Nuclear Fuel president.

The lead test assemblies will undergo testing for the next four and a half years at Plant Vogtle. The fuel will be examined after each cycle, with a more extensive review after the fuel completes testing to support future commercialisation and deployment in the United States. 

LEU, the basic material needed to create nuclear fuel, is made by enriching naturally occurring uranium to improve its ability to produce energy. Enrichment increases the concentration of uranium atoms that can split to produce heat, which in turn is used to generate electricity.

Originally published by Sean Wolfe on Power Engineering Factor This