Recently, French Framatome stated that its fuel assemblies produced through 3D printing technology have completed the first irradiation inspection cycle at the Gsgen nuclear power plant (1010 MWe, PWR) in Switzerland. It is understood that this batch of experimental stainless steel and nickel-based alloy components were loaded into the Gosgen Nuclear Power Plant reactor in 2019. In order to check whether they are qualified, a total of 5 irradiation inspection cycles need to be completed. Later, the irradiated fuel assembly will be further inspected to confirm its performance under actual operating conditions.
In 2015, Framatome initiated an additive manufacturing project at the Erlangen laboratory in Germany, with the focus of the project on the use of additive manufacturing technology to manufacture stainless steel and nickel-based alloy fuel assemblies. Fuel experts from France, Germany and the United States participated in the project, and the European Union and the US Department of Energy also supported the project.
Framatome plans to use additive manufacturing technology to produce fuel assemblies for pressurized water reactors, boiling water reactors and VVER units. Famatong emphasized that the technology can also be used in other nuclear fuel applications, including rapid prototyping, test assembly and fuel production line tool manufacturing, in-stack fuel inspection and service tool repair.