About us
The Nuclear Fuel Factory is located near the town of Mioveni – Arges, about 25 km from Pitesti.
Established in 1992 by separating the Fuel Element Production Section (SPEC) from the IRNE Structure, the factory is authorized by AECL Canada as a CANDU 6 type nuclear fuel supplier and currently provides the fuel requirements for Units 1 and 2 of the Cernavoda nuclear power plant (approx. 11,000 fuel bundles).
The fuel used by the CANDU 6 power plants is based on natural uranium.
During the lifetime of a nuclear fuel beam in the reactor, approximately 1 year, a CANDU 6 fuel beam generates an amount of 1,115 MWh. The same amount of energy can be obtained by burning fossil fuel in conventional power plants as follows:
– 470,000 kg of conventional fuel with a calorific value of 7,000 Kcal/kg
– 1,110,000 kg of superior coal with a calorific value of 3,200 Kcal/Kg
– 363,000 Nm3 of natural gas with a calorific value of 8,050 Kcal/Nm3
FCN Pitesti can offer consultancy, technical assistance and a series of equipment to those interested in the transfer of nuclear fuel manufacturing technology.
SN Nuclearelectrica SA announces the manufacture of the 150,000th nuclear fuel bundle by its branch, the Pitesti Nuclear Fuel Plant (“FCN Pitesti”).
FCN Pitesti is the only manufacturer authorized globally, outside Canada, for the production of fuel bundles related to CANDU 6 technology by AECL Canada (currently Candu Energy) and Zircatec Precision Industries Inc Canada.
Annually, the Cernavoda nuclear power plant consumes approximately 10,000 bundles of nuclear fuel produced by FCN Pitesti. From a qualitative point of view and the results related to the production process, FCN Pitesti registers a failure rate of fuel bundles well below the limit allowed by the CANDU System Design Authority, a fact confirmed by the operation and production data of CNE Cernavoda, the direct beneficiary of production from FCN Pitesti.
“The purpose of FCN Pitesti is to ensure high-quality nuclear fuel for the operation of the nuclear units at Cernavoda in maximum security conditions, to develop and continuously improve the manufacturing lines, to innovate and add added value to Nuclearelectrica by integrating its own products into a nuclear circuit with special results. The nuclear industry bases its performance on the quality and robustness of its products, on compliance with security and protection norms and standards, and on highly specialized human resources”-Florin Gheba, Director of FCN Pitesti
The use of the 150,000 nuclear fuel beams produces an amount of electricity of 167 TWh. The same amount of electricity can be obtained in classic power plants by burning 333 million tons of brown coal, 166.5 million tons of energy coal or 47.5 million tons of fuel oil.
“The Romanian nuclear industry is currently a model of performance and efficiency for many other fields and a great advantage for the Romanian energy system, environment and consumer needs. In over 30 years, Romanian specialists have managed to initiate and develop a nuclear program that places Romania in first place in the world in terms of the coefficient of use of the installed power, therefore making impeccable use of natural, material and human resources.”-Daniela Lulache , General Manager of SN Nuclearelectrica SA
FCN Pitesti’s production complies with the quality requirements related to the nuclear industry, environmental protection, nuclear safety and occupational health and safety.
Through the nuclear fuel produced at FCN Pitesti and used in the two nuclear units from Cernavoda, SN Nucleaelectrica SA ensures 20% of the country’s total electricity production.
1971
- Establishment of the Institute of Nuclear Technologies (ITN): ITN is created as a strategic unit, focused on scientific research, design and technological engineering in the nuclear field.
1971 – 1979
- Development of nuclear technologies: Within ITN, the sections “Nuclear Materials” and “Fuel Elements and Structures” are tasked with developing techniques, technologies and equipment for the manufacture of nuclear fuel.
1977
- Manufacturing of CANDU beams: The first 4 nuclear fuel beams of CANDU type with 28 elements are produced.
1978
- Advances in CANDU Technologies Development: Technology and equipment development to manufacture the 37-element CANDU 660 fuel bundle is underway.
December 1978
- Manufacturing of CANDU 6 beams: 20 CANDU 6 beams are manufactured based on the project and developed technologies.
1980
- Creation of Fuel Cell Production Section (SPEC): SPEC is established for the production of fuel cells.
December 2, 1985
- Approval of nuclear fuel: According to national legislation, the fuel manufactured in SPEC is approved.
1983 – 1990
- Expanded nuclear fuel production: 31,707 CANDU 6 nuclear fuel bundles are manufactured, with a total content of approximately 600 tons of uranium.
January 31, 1992
- Establishment of the Nuclear Fuel Factory (FCN): The factory is created by separating the Fuel Element Production Section from the Nuclear Research Institute.
1992 – 1994
- Technical development with Canadian assistance: A program of technical and technological development is carried out with the support of AECL and ZPI.
October 1994
- Demonstration batch: Under the supervision of AECL – ZPI, 202 nuclear fuel bundles are manufactured, of which 66 are used for the initial loading of the Unit 1 reactor at Cernavodă.
1995
- Beam production: 1678 nuclear fuel beams are produced under the supervision of AECL.
December 1995
- Authorization as a supplier of nuclear fuel: FCN Pitesti receives authorization for the supply of nuclear fuel for CANDU 6 reactors, according to the CSA – Z – 299.2 standard.
July 2, 1998
- Establishment of Nuclearelectrica SA: By Government Decision no. 365/1998, the National Society “Nuclearelectrica” SA is established, including FCN Pitesti.
December 18, 2001
- Capacity Doubling Program: The plan to double the production capacity, carried out mainly between 2002 and 2004, is approved.
September 21, 2004
- Start of production for Unit 2 Cernavodă: Nuclear fuel production for the Unit 2 reactor is launched.
September 2007
- Quality performance: FCN achieves the performance of 75 consecutive months without suspected defective fuel in Unit 1 at Cernavodă.
2009 – 2014
- Initiation of Feasibility Study SF 1516: A study to modernize the manufacturing flow is launched, aiming to improve the quality of the finished product, working conditions and environmental protection.
In order to initiate an action to visit FCN Pitesti, it is necessary to send a Letter of Intent (at least 30 working days before the requested date), to the attention of the director of FCN Pitesti, which should contain the following information:
- First and last name,
- date and place of birth,
- Passport / Bulletin / Identity Card series and number,
- The issuer and date of issuance of the identity document,
- The institution represented,
- The purpose of the visit and the proposed period,
by fax to the number: 0248/264999
Mandatory requirements for the visit
- The identity document specified in the letter of intent;
- Camera phone, video camera, camera, laptop, CD, memory stick are not allowed.