Russia has completed a pilot project to test Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF) at one of its major nuclear power plants.
The program was carried out by Rosatom at Unit 2 of the Rostov Nuclear Power Station.
The test began in 2021, when three special fuel assemblies were loaded into a VVER-1000 reactor. These assemblies have now completed three full operating cycles, each lasting 18 months. The fuel has been safely removed during a scheduled shutdown, marking the end of the trial.
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Rosatom said the experiment included advanced fuel designs. The assemblies used 12 test fuel rods. Six rods had cladding made from a chromium-nickel alloy, while the other six used traditional zirconium cladding with a chromium coating.
The used fuel will now undergo a detailed study. It will be sent to the Research Institute of Atomic Reactors for post-irradiation examination. Scientists will analyze how the materials performed under reactor conditions.
Rosatom said chromium-coated zirconium cladding has emerged as the most promising option for future use. The company noted that this aligns with global trends, as nuclear developers worldwide are working on similar ATF technologies.
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Preparations for large-scale production are already underway. At the Chepetsk Mechanical Plant, more than 1,000 coated fuel rod claddings have been produced and shipped for assembly. Each fuel assembly typically contains 312 rods.
Accident-tolerant fuels are designed to improve reactor safety. They can better withstand extreme conditions, such as coolant loss. This reduces the risk of chemical reactions that may release hydrogen, a key concern in nuclear accidents.
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Rosatom said the successful pilot brings the technology closer to commercial use, as global efforts continue to make nuclear energy safer and more resilient.
