Korean Independently Developed Nuclear Fuel Targets Global Market After International Verification

Wonjaryeoyeon - Signed International Joint Research Agreement with Belgian Nuclear Research Institute
Performance Verification of High-Density Low-Enriched Uranium Silicide Plate-Type Nuclear Fuel Planned
Attempt to Pioneer Annual 300 Billion KRW Scale International Research Low-Enriched Nuclear Fuel Market

The high-density, low-enrichment uranium silicide plate-type nuclear fuel was completed by applying the 'centrifugal atomization nuclear fuel powder manufacturing technology.' Photo by Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] A research developed by domestic researchers is knocking on the door of the global market through international joint research in nuclear fuel technology.

On the 1st, the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute announced that it signed an agreement on the 31st of last month to conduct international joint research with the Belgian Nuclear Research Center (SCK CEN) to verify the performance of high-density (5.3 gU/cc) low-enriched uranium silicide (U3Si2) plate-type nuclear fuel developed since 2018.

The high-density low-enriched uranium silicide plate-type nuclear fuel was completed by applying the world's only 'centrifugal atomization nuclear fuel powder manufacturing technology.' It is a second-generation nuclear fuel developed in the 1980s, characterized by using low-enriched uranium to limit the use of highly enriched uranium that threatens the nuclear non-proliferation regime, and having an intermediate uranium density (4.8 gU/cc). When manufactured in a plate shape with aluminum cladding, it generates a high neutron flux while enabling efficient cooling.

In particular, in response to recent demands for higher nuclear fuel performance, the third-generation high-density uranium silicide plate-type nuclear fuel has been developed. The centrifugal atomization nuclear fuel powder manufacturing technology melts uranium silicide at a high temperature of up to 2000 degrees Celsius in a vacuum state and sprays it onto a rapidly rotating disc, using centrifugal force to mass-produce fine and uniform powder. It shows a yield of over 95% (ratio of finished product to input), resulting in a lower defect rate and better price competitiveness compared to competitors such as France.

High-performance research reactors use highly enriched uranium (HEU) with an enrichment of over 90% as fuel to achieve high output. However, as part of the international community's efforts to minimize the use of highly enriched uranium, SCK CEN plans to develop and use low-enriched uranium fuel suitable for the BR2 high-performance research reactor (100MW class) it operates. Generally used low-enriched uranium silicide plate-type nuclear fuel with enrichment below 20% lacks sufficient power density and cannot be used in high-performance research reactors. The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute has been conducting advanced nuclear fuel research and development, including performance verification, through this international joint research until December 2025.

Upon successful completion of performance verification of the nuclear fuel through five years of joint research, the institute will acquire the qualification to supply nuclear fuel to most research reactors worldwide using uranium silicide plate-type nuclear fuel on equal footing with global nuclear fuel suppliers. Considering the market size of uranium silicide nuclear fuel (300 billion KRW/year), it is expected to achieve export sales exceeding 30 billion KRW annually.

Jung Yong-jin, head of the Research Reactor Nuclear Fuel Department at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, said, “The nuclear fuel developed by the institute can maintain high output in high-performance research reactors even when using low-enriched uranium due to the characteristics of centrifugal atomized powder allowing high-density manufacturing, and its excellence has been recognized by Belgium, leading to the signing of the joint research agreement.” He added, "Our country can commercialize nuclear fuel as a package along with research reactor supply, securing outstanding competitiveness in winning orders in the global research reactor construction market.”

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