Dec. 31, 2015, the self-reliance CAP1400 fuel prototype assembly successfully rolled off the production line in Baotou, the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, marking a key breakthrough in CAP1400 self-reliance fuel research and paving the way for the next stage of integral performance test. SNERDI independently designed the assembly and led the research and development.

CAP1400 self-reliance fuel assembly has become the first product of SNERDI’s second generation fuel brand, SAF, since the commercialization of the first generation fuel brand of FA300. It is a 14-inch advanced fuel assembly obtaining fully independent intellectual property right and also the first of its kind that has adopted the brand new zirconium alloy skeleton, thus filling a domestic gap in this field.

The research of CAP1400 self-reliant fuel assembly is divided into three stages of prototype assembly, design-finalized assembly and lead test assembly, finally putting into reality the commercial reactor irradiation test and industrial application. As a symbolic result of the first stage research, CAP1400 self-reliant fuel prototype assembly is an important milestone. 

The research of CAP1400 self-reliant fuel assembly is lead by SNERDI in cooperation with a R&D team including China North Nuclear Fuel Co., Ltd and State Nuclear Baoti Zirconium Industry Company etc. In tackling a series of key technical problems and breaking manufacturing bottlenecks, an advanced design plan has been determined to entail new zirconium alloy, anti-fretting grid, low pressure drop nozzle, high thermal conductivity fuel pellet, high strength skeleton etc, bringing about the completion of the CAP1400 self-reliant fuel prototype assembly research.

SNERDI will further promote the R&D of SAF serial fuel assembly, striving for an earlier mass commercial use.