KNF acquired license for interaction equation for critical thermal flux of HIPER

- Satisfied preconditions for commercial supply and export of HIPER

KNF (CEO Jeong Sang-bong) announced that Nuclear Safety and Security Commission awarded the company a license for the use of interaction equation for critical thermal flux ofHIPER (High Performance with Efficiency and Reliability), a nuclear fuel the company developed.

Interaction equation for critical thermal flux refers to a formula based on an interaction between various operation factors in operating a nuclear power plant. The equation is used to predict the “critical thermal flux,” a phenomenon where heat transfer from fuel rods of a nuclear reactor core to cooling water canal is sharply dropping, which damages fuel rods and undermines the safe operation of the nuclear power plant.

With the license which  took seven years for acquisition since November 2010, the company can now supply and export HIPER, a nuclear fuel with a significant improvement in earthquake-resistance and thermal performance, compared with existing fuels. Going forward, KEPCO Nuclear Fuel plans to use this equation to prove the safety of HIPER and the efficient operation of a nuclear power plant.

CEO Jeong Sang-bong of KEPCO Nuclear Fuel said, “The license for the interaction equation demonstrates KEPCO NF’s superior research and development capability in the nuclear power sector where safety and quality are critical. Based on accumulated technology and expertise, we will continue to create a new future growth engine and supply safer, high quality nuclear fuel, thereby building trust of customers and our society.”

▲ Test nuclear fuel assembly produced to develop interaction equation, and the testing site. (Left) Test nuclear fuel assembly produced  to develop interaction equation for critical heat flux, (Right) inserting nuclear fuel assembly to testing equipment (cylindrical structure at lower part)