atw - International Journal for Nuclear Power | 05.2021

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atw Vol. 66 (2021) | Issue 5 ı September SITE SPOTLIGHT 36 Before welding the end plug, a spring is inserted into the fuel rod. This ensures a stable tablet column during production, but also during transport of the fuel elements to the customer. Ralf Krüssel, project engineer, is part of the team that successfully developed APIS. Successful examples for special mechanical engineering Welding systems The welding systems developed at ANF using the resistance pressure welding process are set up and commissioned on site. The welding technology ensures gas-tight fuel rods – and thus contributes to the safe use of fuel elements in reactor operation. Behind this are 50 years of experience and constant further development of the technology. Welding systems from Lingen are part of Framatome’s portfolio and are used in fuel assembly fabrication worldwide. Testing facilities The development of the APIS (Automatic Pellet Inspection System) by ANF Lingen dates back to the 1980s. Since that time, research has been carried out on the automatic measurement of pellets and the completion of a suitable system has been advanced. After many trials and with a higher computer capacity required for the measurements, it was then possible in 2007 to qualify and use the first fully automatic pellet inspection system. With this, all pellets (100 % inspection) are inspected for various characteristics automatically, at high speed and with objective criteria, evaluated and sorted out if necessary. The APIS as part of the pellet grinding line will also be used as best practice in Framatome’s sister plant Romans in the future. The system ensures quality and economic efficiency. It also reduces the strain on employees at the workplace. In the meantime, there is already a further development, which is currently being set up at the Framatome site in Romans. “We are proud of the development of our technology division, but it can only be operated and further developed in the long term with a functioning fuel assembly production,” explains Lingen site’s manager Andreas Hoff. “Only with this can special machines tested in our own production be marketed in the longer term,” he adds. Hoff explains: “To compensate for the declining volumes in fuel assembly production, we produce special products in the pellet and rod area, which make a major contribution to the economic operation of the plant.” In addition to technology and special machines, the site markets its know-how worldwide through training and education, service, consulting and expertise. ANF experts sit on committees and working groups in the nuclear industry and are sought-after contacts for international bodies such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the European Safeguards Research and Development Association (ESARDA). For Peter Reimann, one thing is certain: “Framatome GmbH and Advanced Nuclear Fuels GmbH want to continue to support the Federal Government in achieving the goals of maintaining nuclear com petence and contribute to ensuring that Germany remains internationally recognized in the field of nuclear technology.” Site Spotlight Nuclear Expertise for Germany – Indispensable Even After the German Nuclear Phase-out
atw Vol. 66 (2021) | Issue 5 ı September 37 Site manager Andreas Hoff at the Lingen plant with a PWR fuel element. In the background you can see the underfloor storage facility where fuel assemblies are stored suspended before they are transported on to the customer. SITE SPOTLIGHT Nuclear know-how in demand worldwide For many countries, nuclear power generation is and will remain an essential part of the national climate strategy for the coming decades. In Germany too, expertise is still needed for nuclear dismantling, interim and final storage, but also on issues of national and international safety. Framatome’s experience feedback in Germany from international projects with various reactor types from different manufacturers in its current value-added depth complements the decades of experience and broad expertise, and makes a significant contribution to reconciling national safety requirements and the safe further development of nuclear energy. The competences of Framatome GmbH and Advanced Nuclear Fuels GmbH contribute significantly to these goals: p p Retention of know-how and personnel: Only participation in international projects can ensure exchange with international partners and thus feedback into training and teaching. Maintaining competence for activities that are still pending in Germany: Participation in international projects ensures that nuclear know-how continues to be available in Germany – an essential prerequisite for maintaining competence for the upcoming challenges such as dismantling, final storage and safety research in Germany. p Maintaining a central role in international bodies: By participating in international projects, nuclear, safety-relevant competences are maintained and expanded. In this way, the Federal Republic of Germany continues to secure its position as a competent partner in the field of nuclear technology in international organizations such as the UN, IAEA, OECD, EU and in standards bodies. It can thus continue to ensure its influence in the future so that globally binding safety standards are met and nuclear technology is used for the benefit of all. p p Information about developments: Through its involvement in global value chains, the Federal Republic can gain early access to information and knowledge about developments, projects, planning and regulations. Without Germany’s active participation in the international nuclear industry, this knowledge would not be available. Fuel optimization: The development of fuel elements with high utilization as well as the conversion and recovery of raw materials from unirradiated products will minimize the amount of used fuel elements in Germany and worldwide. Site Spotlight Nuclear Expertise for Germany – Indispensable Even After the German Nuclear Phase-out
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atw - International Journal for Nuclear Power | 05.2021

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