Company announces expansion of Columbia facility
Westinghouse has established a “centre of excellence” for the manufacturing of low-enriched uranium plus (LEU+) fuel at its Columbia fuel fabrication facility (CFFF) in South Carolina.
The centre will help to meet an expected increase in demand for LEU+ fuel, particularly in the 5-10% enrichment range. The fuel increases power generation which reduces the number of outages needed at nuclear plants, the US-based nuclear company said.
Establishing the centre involves a significant expansion and upgrading of the CFFF, including the implementation of advanced manufacturing processes, equipment upgrades, and heightened safety measures.
Tarik Choho, president of Westinghouse Nuclear Fuel, said the project will create opportunities for both the workforce and academic community in South Carolina.
“The programme is aligned with our customers’ needs for LEU+ fuel,” he said. “This vision will provide high-tech job opportunities and increase collaboration with our local technical colleges and universities in South Carolina.”
LEU+ fuel is part of a Westinghouse fuel development programme aimed at producing the lowest fuel cycle costs possible, with higher burnup capability to generate more power with fewer bundles.
Westinghouse, which has fuel manufacturing facilities in the US, Sweden, and the UK, said LEU+ fuel is an accident-tolerant products that provides “resilience and survivability, in addition to robust and leak-free fuel performance”.
