Experiences and trends of manufacturing technology of advanced nuclear fuels

This publication is a compilation of updated information on experience and trends in manufacturing technology of nuclear fuels for power reactors, and research reactors and highlights emerging trends. Although the fuel cladding and other structural components of fuel element and fuel assembly are integral parts of the fuel, this publication does not cover the manufacturing of these non-fissile and non-fertile components. It focuses on fabrication processes for matured fuels such as UO2 and mixed oxide (MOX) for water cooled power reactors and sodium cooled fast reactors (SFRs), emerging SFR fuel such as mixed carbide and nitride, U-Pu-Zr with and without minor actinides (MA) and thoria based fuels for power reactors; and aluminium matrix dispersion type fuels and monolithic fuels for research reactors. The publication is divided into six chapters, describing in detail the features of the fuels and concludes with a summary identifying the gaps in information and the areas of future research and development.