Russia has developed a new type of nuclear fuel production technology

In Russia, the Scientific Research Institute NPO Luch (part of Rosatom) has developed a technology for the production of new—type nuclear fuel microwells. This was reported on October 30 in the Izvestia press service.

They are ceramic microcapsules with uranium dioxide cores, covered with special protective layers.

The diameter of such capsules is less than 1 mm. They are assembled into special fuel compacts, each of which contains about 4 thousand microwells.

Experts suggest that this energy source will become a key link in the technology of large-scale hydrogen production in our country. It will be produced at Nuclear Power Plants (AETS). Such stations are focused on the production of heat for industrial purposes. In particular, they will become the basis for producing large volumes of hydrogen through steam conversion of natural gas.

"Russia is implementing a large-scale project to develop hydrogen energy technologies. Within its framework, technological solutions are being developed for the creation of AETS with a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (VTGR) and the chemical-technological part (HC). They are designed for large—scale production of hydrogen-containing products and ammonia," Andrey Mokrushin, Deputy General Director for Science at the Scientific Research Institute NPO LUCH, told Izvestia.

According to him, VTGR is a reactor of the latest IV generation. Due to the helium coolant, it will be able to operate at a temperature that is 2-3 times higher than the temperature of conventional reactors. In the development of these systems, Russia occupies a leading position in the world.

As the scientist explained, micro-bodies assembled into compacts are fuel for VTGR. They are capable of ensuring reliable, safe and efficient reactor operation at temperatures of the order of +850 degrees (at the exit from the core). At the same time, the fuel itself is able to withstand up to 1100 degrees Celsius in normal conditions and up to 1600-1700 degrees Celsius during testing.

"To date, as part of the comprehensive R&D program for the development of AETS with VTGR and HTCH, the technical design of the reactor plant has been prepared and approved, new special materials (heat-resistant alloys, large—block reactor graphite, carbon-carbon composite materials) have been created and are being tested, systems and equipment of the reactor plant have been developed," the head explained laboratories of JSC "Scientific Research Institute NPO "LUCH" Vladislav Tumanov.

The pilot production line, he added, for the production of fuel for VTGR includes four technological sections and more than 20 items of unique Russian-made equipment. It is designed to produce 250,000 fuel compacts per year. This amount is necessary to refine the technology. This stage will last until 2028. After that, serial production for the experimental AETS will be launched.

"Hydrogen is an eco—friendly fuel cell that releases ordinary water during combustion and does not generate greenhouse gases. In particular, it is supposed to be used as fuel, in cars and on other types of transport. In addition, this gas is widely used in the chemical industry," Georgy Tikhomirov, Deputy Director of the Institute of Nuclear Physics and Technology at the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, PhD, explained to Izvestia.

The hydrogen that will be produced by the proposed method, the expert suggested, may turn out to be cheaper and will displace other methods of its production.

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Earlier, on August 12, it was reported that scientists from ITMO have developed an innovative reactor for water electrolysis, which can simplify the production of hydrogen. The new technology accelerates the process of its production by six times and reduces energy consumption by 15%. The key innovation is the use of magnetically modified electrodes coated with iron and cobalt nanoparticles.

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