Exported equipment and technology to China for nuclear fuel in-pile performance test, which was developed by local technical team with the support of government R&D grants, is now in operation. KNF (President Lee Jae-hee), the government-owned corporation for nuclear fuel design and fabrication, announced that its fuel performance test equipment exported to NPIC (Nuclear Power Institute of China) is now in use in Jinshan nuclear power plant since early March this year after passing the final performance test.

The test technology for nuclear fuel in-pile performance inspects mechanical integrity of the fuel in use to achieve actual design numerical values; this is a high degree of skill, possessed by a few nuclear advanced companies only in U.S. and France, to control every specification of nuclear fuel remotely under the high-radioactive water.

Korea has relied on the technology and equipment from WEC, U.S. and Areva, France so far. It views now the patented technology with no restriction on exports enhances its reputation as one of nuclear advanced countries and provides foundation of developing advanced performance fuel with high output and long-term cycle.

Mr. Lee Jae-hee, the president and CEO of KNF, said, “We are proud to have a series of successful exports range from fuel assembly to UAE, primary fuel parts, and to performance test equipment and technology. I believe KNF has very promising future ahead as some countries other than China recently ask for technical support from us regarding nuclear fuel performance test.