- Research and services for nuclear energy
- Competencies in the field of nuclear fuel cycle
We are developing a technology for manufacturing fuel for high-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGR) based on microspheres of uranium dioxide in a graphite matrix. The microspheres, with a fuel kernel diameter of less than 0.5 mm, have a multi- layer protective coating made of pyrocarbon and silicon carbide.
The proposed HTGR fuel design allows for achieving high temperatures of the helium coolant and effectively retaining fission products within the microspheres during high burnup of the fuel and accident situations. These developments make HTGRs ultra-safe.
The HTGR fuel element consists of a graphite rod up to 5 cm in height, with microspheres distributed throughout its volume, each having protective coatings. The fuel element and microspheres are designed to achieve very high burnup. There is no need for a metallic cladding for the fuel. The diameter of the microsphere is only 0.8 mm.
