22 January 2021
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The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has accepted for review a topical report on Westinghouse Advanced Doped Pellet Technology (ADOPT) Fuel, which the company has said is a major achievement for the advanced fuel portfolio it is developing as part of its EnCore fuel programme.
(Image: Westinghouse)
Topical Report WCAP-18482-P/WCAP-18482-NP, Revision 0 was originally submitted to the NRC in May 2020, and a draft safety evaluation is expected early in the summer of this year, Westinghouse has said.
ADOPT fuel pellets have been designed to improve fuel cycle economics and accident tolerance. The fuel pellets are doped with small amounts of chromia and alumina, enabling them to achieve greater uranium efficiency and a 50% lower oxidation rate compared to conventional uranium oxide pellets. The pellets are suitable for use in all Westinghouse and Combustion Engineering pressurised water reactor and boiling water reactor designs and are compatible with all zirconium-based cladding materials and fuel enrichments. So far, they have been delivered to more than 25 regions worldwide, according to Westinghouse.