Tuumkütusetükid

Tuumkütusetükid refers to the fuel assemblies used in nuclear reactors. These are precisely engineered bundles of nuclear fuel rods containing fissile material, typically uranium dioxide pellets enriched with uranium-235. The purpose of a fuel assembly is to hold the fuel rods in a specific configuration within the reactor core, allowing for controlled nuclear fission and heat generation. The design of fuel assemblies varies depending on the type of reactor, but they generally consist of a framework that supports the fuel rods, coolant channels, and sometimes control rod guide tubes. The cladding of the fuel rods, usually made of a zirconium alloy, contains the radioactive fuel material and prevents the release of fission products into the coolant. During reactor operation, the heat generated by fission is transferred to the coolant flowing through the assembly, which is then used to produce steam for electricity generation. Spent fuel assemblies, no longer efficient for power production, are removed from the reactor and stored for a period before further processing or disposal. The integrity and performance of tuumkütusetükid are critical for the safe and efficient operation of any nuclear power plant.