Post #439

📍Rosatom completes program for operation of nuclear fuel with minor actinides Beloyarsk NPP has completed the world’s first program of pilot operation in a commercial reactor of uranium-plutonium MOX fuel with minor actinides – the most radiotoxic components from spent nuclear fuel. 🔹How did the program proceed? Three trial fuel assemblies containing americium-241 and neptunium-237 were loaded into the BN-800 fast neutron reactor core in 2024. Since then, they have successfully undergone a full cycle of operation across three fuel micro-campaigns. After cooling in the spent fuel pool, the irradiated assemblies will be dispatched for studies. 🔹Why is it important? The recycling of minor actinides through "burning" in power reactors is a key element in the development of fourth-generation nuclear power industry. Neptunium, americium, and curium make-up a small share of spent fuel mass, but contribute heavily to its radioactive toxicity and residual heat release. 📷: Beloyarsk NPP #Rosatom_News