Russian state-owned conglomerate Rosatom has taken a decisive step forward with the production of its new GC-10 gas centrifuge, designed for the separation of uranium isotopes. This innovation represents the culmination of decades of technological development in uranium enrichment by gas centrifugation, the most efficient method for obtaining uranium-235, needed in power and transport reactors.
According to Rosatom’s Fuel Division, the new centrifuges surpass all previous generations in operation in terms of productivity and efficiency. The final stage of development envisages their industrial testing at a plant in the separation and sublimation complex, before advancing to series production.
GC-10 gas centrifuge efficiency and atomic precision
The technology behind the GC-10 is based on rotation at more than 1,000 revolutions per second to separate uranium isotopes from uranium hexafluoride, a compound that enables the necessary gaseous conversion. The process optimizes the production of uranium-235, which is lighter than uranium-238, ensuring precise enrichment with lower energy consumption.
This tenth generation is distinguished by the incorporation of advanced materials developed by Rosatom’s Composites Division, improving operational durability and reducing the need for frequent maintenance.
Russian engineering in the service of global energy
TVEL, the subsidiary in charge of fuel, stresses that the GC-10 is part of a long-term program of progressive replacement of equipment with more efficient versions such as the GC-9+. The new centrifuge will serve reactors both in Russia and in more than 15 other customer countries.
Alexander Ugryumov, senior vice president for Scientific and Technical Activities at TVEL, explained that this breakthrough coincides with the 80th anniversary of the Russian nuclear industry and demonstrates the country’s sustained leadership in key technologies in the sector. GC-10 adds to the strategic effort to meet the growing demand for nuclear fuel. nuclear fuel in the face of the planned expansion of new power plants in Russia.
Since its invention in the USSR, gas centrifugation has evolved into compact, rugged and highly efficient machines. The GC-10 is a direct heir to this legacy and promises to expand enrichment capacity without compromising the safety and sustainability of the process.
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Source and photo: Rosatom
