Framatome has installed new 3D-printed fuel components at the Ringhals 4 nuclear reactor in Sweden, operated by Vattenfall. The installation, which began in September 2024, focuses on testing anti-debris filters manufactured through additive manufacturing. The components will undergo yearly visual inspections during planned maintenance outages.
The anti-debris filters, positioned at the base of fuel assemblies, are designed to capture debris in reactor coolant to protect fuel rods. These components have traditionally been manufactured using electro-chemical machining. The shift to additive manufacturing aims to simplify production and expand design possibilities.
Framatome’s involvement with additive manufacturing in nuclear fuel applications dates back to 2015, when the company began working with stainless steel and nickel-based alloy components. The development process has involved collaboration between Framatome’s fuel experts in France, Germany, and the United States, working alongside international customers.
The company plans to establish in-house production of these filters by 2026 at a new dedicated facility in Romans-sur-Isère, France. This development aligns with efforts to strengthen supply chain security and advance nuclear component design capabilities.
“We welcome the development of new manufacturing methods that enable further increase of safety and performance in fuel designs,” said Ove Nilsson, head of Vattenfall Nuclear Fuel. The project will help verify the integrity of 3D-printed components under actual operating conditions as part of a multi-year irradiation program.
Source: framatome.com
