Westinghouse reaches advanced nuclear fuel development milestone

Westinghouse Electric Company announced Monday that they have received approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for its PARAGON2 fuel energy transport code.

PARAGON2 is a key component of the company’s High Energy Fuel initiative that provides technologies and hardware utility to customers to optimize their fuel capabilities. The regulatory approval means the company will be allowed to model and simulate core conditions, up to doubling the currently licensed enrichment limit.

“Nuclear power will play a major role in reducing carbon emissions for generations to come. Our customers look to Westinghouse for innovative fuel solutions that enhance reliability and performance,” said Pam Cowan, Westinghouse president of Americas Operating Plant Services. “This milestone is the latest achievement for our new fuel product features, materials, and analysis methods that are designed to help support our customers advance their fuel performance.”

The regulatory approval also means the company is the only nuclear vendor with an NRC-licensed topical report for commercial nuclear fuel modeling purposes of U-235 enrichments up to 10 weight percent.

The PARAGON2 approval and the recently approved Updated NEXUS Cross-Section Methodology allow Westinghouse to strengthen its High Energy Fuel initiative. Future moves include the release of the Westinghouse’s ANC 9 code suite, which will enable customers to model either traditional or higher enriched fuel products to reduce fuel impacts and maximize core power.