Framatome recently signed a contract to deliver two full fuel assemblies using the company’s industry-leading Enhanced Accident Tolerant Fuel (EATF) solution to Exelon Generation’s Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant in February 2021. Developed under Framatome’s PROtect program, these assemblies contain the company’s near-term solution, with chromia-enhanced pellets and chromium-coated M5 Framatome cladding.
“Framatome has exceeded expectations in the PROtect program, and these contracts reflect the hard work and dedication of our teams to provide the nuclear industry with the highest quality of next-generation technology,” said Lionel Gaiffe, senior executive vice president, Fuel Business Unit at Framatome. “We have consistently been ahead of the anticipated date for deployment of EATF technology, and we are extremely proud to be a leader in state-of-the-art fuel.”
This is the fourth contract Framatome has signed and the fourth reactor type to which the company will supply fuel assemblies with EATF. Framatome’s PROtect EATF designs are more tolerant to loss of active cooling in the reactor core for longer periods, as their reduced oxidation behavior thereby increases coping time. Simultaneously, this fuel offers improved performance during normal operations, allowing operators greater flexibility and efficiency.