Development of Core Technology
KEPCO NF endeavors to secure our own patented technologies and promote the export-oriented industrialization of nuclear fuel.
KEPCO NF has been constantly investing in technology development to develop safe nuclear fuel at a world-class level. This enabled us to develop our own high-performance nuclear fuel that boasts global competitiveness and establish a world-class patented code system and methodology.
Export-driven High Performance Nuclear Fuel
As for the fuel development, KEPCO NF especially focuses on export-driven high performance nuclear fuel. We already succeeded to develop HIPER16 (High Performance with Efficiency and Reliability) for OPR1000 and APR1400 nuclear reactors, launched in September 2005 for the first as a national strategic priority to boost exports in nuclear power-related business and completed in August 2010 through the design finalization and out-pile verification. HIPER16 successfully completed in-pile evaluation of LTA (Lead Test Assembly) at domestic nuclear power plants about 5 years. HIPER16 is prospected to be commercially supplied after approving a commercial supply license. The development HIPER17, the fuel for WEC-type reactors, was started in January 2008, and was finalized in 2012. HIPER17 successfully completed in-pile evaluation of LTA at domestic nuclear power plants about 5 years. HIPER17 will be commercially supplied to domestic power plants after commercial supply licensing. We believe that HIPER16 and HIPER17 will be approved as one of the best quality nuclear fuels worldwide in burn-up, thermal margin, seismic performance, reliability, and manufacturability
Core Design & Safety Analysis Code System
KEPCO NF has been developing high performance reactor core design & safety analysis code system numbered among the best in the world, with no export restrictions under patented technology ownership. The reactor core design code is classified into the nuclear design code, the thermal-hydraulic design code, the fuel rod design code, and the fuel assembly & control rod design code. We successfully achieved the development of reactor core design code and licensing from Nuclear Safety and Security Commission for four codes such as two types of nuclear design codes, fuel assembly seismic analysis code, and thermal-hydraulic design code.
International Standard Design Code Quality Assurance System
KEPCO NF endeavors in improving design code quality and safety up to international levels. A design code is the software of nuclear fuel, and KEPCO NF developed a software quality management system for 3 years since 2015, and it is currently operated in compliance with related international standards. The in-house developed quality management system features an international standard design code quality certification procedure guide, integrated computer code configuration management system (iCODE), software quality assurance information system (SQAIS) and KEPCO NF library for offering an integrated software environment, and it is currently developing design codes and applying them on performance operation. This achievement is an international-level quality assurance system which is key in expanding into overseas markets, and sustainable profit is expected when the design code is supplied to the international market.