Rosatom to expand depleted uranium processing capacities

摘要

Rosatom has started construction of a second processing unit converting depleted uranium hexafluoride to a uranium oxide for use in mixed-oxide fuel at Zelenogorsk, Russia, the Russian state nuclear company's press office said in an email April 28. The move is aimed at dealing with substantial domestic depleted uranium stocks and for the sourcing of raw materials for the production of fresh uranium-plutonium fuel for fast reactors, Rosatom said. The new unit is slated to become operational in 2023 and will double Russian depleted uranium hexafluoride reprocessing capacity from 10,000 to 20,000 mt/yr. The first main equipment for the project is scheduled to be supplied by France's Orano Projects in November 2021. From 2022, Orano Projects employees will also participate in construction, Rosatom said.