LVR-15 is a 10 MW light water reactor, which historically has been using IRT-4M tubular fuel manufactured by the Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant (an enterprise of TVEL Fuel Company of Rosatom). The reactor is the major facility of the research infrastructure at CVŘ, one of the leading nuclear physics and material science institutions in Europe.
Irradiation and post-irradiation studies at CVŘ are also carried out as part of development and verification of Russian fuel for large-scale commercial power reactors. In 2019, TVEL and CVŘ signed an agreement for material studies. In particular, scientific research in LVR-15 will include studying of radiation-induced growth and radiation-thermal creep of Russian-made zirconium alloys at low fluence of fast neutrons.
“Cooperation between TVEL and Řež Nuclear Research Centre is an example of a win-win multiprofile partnership in the nuclear industry. The Czech research reactor has been operated with the Russian fuel from the very first day. TVEL, in its turn, uses the skills and experience of Czech specialists to conduct research at CVŘ, an institution with the unquestioned reputation in the global professional community. At the same time, TVEL offers new more efficient fuel developments and solutions to its long-standing partners, including Czech nuclear power plants,” commented Oleg Grigoriyev, Senior Vice President for commerce and international business at TVEL JSC.
For reference
TVEL Fuel Company incorporates enterprises for the fabrication of nuclear fuel, conversion and enrichment of uranium, production of gas centrifuges, as well as research and design organizations. It is the only supplier of nuclear fuel for Russian nuclear power plants. TVEL Fuel Company of Rosatom provides nuclear fuel for 73 power reactors in 13 countries worldwide, research reactors in eight countries, as well as transport reactors of the Russian nuclear fleet. Every sixth power reactor in the world operates on fuel manufactured by TVEL. https://www.tvel.ru/
Centrum výzkumu Řež (CVŘ) is a 100% subsidiary of ÚJV Řež a.s. (the Czech Republic), which performs a wide range of applied R&D services in the field of energy, manufacturing and healthcare. ÚJV Řež services are focused on supporting the safe and cost-efficient operation of power plants (primarily nuclear generation), nuclear fuel cycle chemistry, waste management and engineering. http://cvrez.cz/