Netherlands-based nuclear service provider NRG has begun an irradiation experiment on the behaviour of nuclear fuel that will collect data on fissile material that can be used to develop new fuels and to optimise the efficiency of existing nuclear fuels.

NRG, which operates EU-owned high-flux research reactor at Petten in the Netherlands, said two types of fuel are being investigated, one made from uranium oxide and the other with mixed oxide (MOX) fuel. NRG said MOX fuel is considered as a potential fuel for future fast reactors. Each of the experiments involves six fuel samples, with three different compositions.

Reactor fuel needs to be safe under any circumstances in a nuclear reactor. The fissile material in the reactor is exposed to a combination of a high neutron dose and high temperature. NRG said it is important to understand the effect of this on the quality and behaviour of the fuel.