ML21139A347
| ML21139A347 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 05/19/2021 |
| From: | NRC |
| To: | NRC/NMSS/DREFS |
| References | |
| Download: ML21139A347 (14) | |
Text
From:
Dozier, Tami Sent:
Wednesday, May 19, 2021 7:14 PM To:
AdvancedReactors-GEISDocsPEm Resource
Subject:
HA-LEU Supply (Enrichment, De-conversion, Fuel Fab & Transportation)
Attachments:
BWXT-28Apr2020Nagley.pdf
Hearing Identifier:
AdvancedReactors_GEIS_Public Email Number:
15 Mail Envelope Properties (BY3PR09MB7585BF37BA486B792176DDB4F42B9)
Subject:
HA-LEU Supply (Enrichment, De-conversion, Fuel Fab & Transportation)
Sent Date:
5/19/2021 7:13:56 PM Received Date:
5/19/2021 7:14:00 PM From:
Dozier, Tami Created By:
Tamsen.Dozier@nrc.gov Recipients:
"AdvancedReactors-GEISDocsPEm Resource"
<AdvancedReactors-GEISDocsNPR.Resource3@nrc.gov>
Tracking Status: None Post Office:
BY3PR09MB7585.namprd09.prod.outlook.com Files Size Date & Time MESSAGE 3
5/19/2021 7:14:00 PM BWXT-28Apr2020Nagley.pdf 1331661 Options Priority:
Normal Return Notification:
No Reply Requested:
No Sensitivity:
Normal Expiration Date:
1 Scott Nagley - Vice President, Nuclear Operations Group GAIN/NEI/EPRI Webinar - April 28 & 29, 2020 HA-LEU Supply (Enrichment, De-conversion, Fuel Fab & Transportation)
2 BWXT has been at the forefront of the commercial nuclear power generation and government nuclear industries for decades, achieving an impressive number of firsts along the way.
About BWXT 12 major manufacturing facilities totaling 3.9 million square feet 15 U.S. Department of Energy laboratories, environmental cleanup projects and NASA sites 8,000+ fuel elements delivered to U.S. national laboratories, universities and international customers 60+ years producing naval nuclear propulsion systems 6,600 highly skilled employees with ~65% holding government clearances 2 U.S. NRC Category 1 SNM licensed facilities -
the only 2 in the U.S.
3 o
Create a sustainable supply of HA-LEU (up to 19.75% U235) to support national security and civil activities as outlined by NELA/AEIA o
S. 903/HR 3306 Nuclear Energy Leadership Act (NELA), S. 2657 American Energy Innovation Act (AEIA)
Similar bills working through Senate and House
Includes HA-LEU supply requirements 10 MT HA-LEU by 2022 Additional 40 MT HA-LEU by 2025 o
Activities include:
Deployment of DoD microreactors
Research and test reactors
Civil advanced reactors
NASA nuclear thermal propulsion
Medical isotope production Objective In a recent USNIC survey of advanced reactor developers, availability of HA-LEU was identified as the #1 thing that keeps them up at night.
ORNLs High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR)
NASAs Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Engine System, of which BWXT is providing support for reactor and fuel design analysis.
4 o
There is no existing domestic enrichment capacity to enrich uranium to HA-LEU.
Downblending HEU is the only near term option (< 5 years) to produce metric ton quantities of HA-LEU.
o Currently:
There is no HEU allocated for downblending to HA-LEU Research reactor HEU supply forecasted to last through 2041
There is no commercial downblending capability to produce HA-LEU in metric ton quantities
There is no funding for downblending of HEU to HA-LEU Problem Statement Enrichment Downblend NU HEU U-10Mo U3Si2 TRISO UN / UCO / UO2 Research / Isotopes /
Power / Propulsion HA-LEU Sustainable Supply Overview HA-LEU Metal HA-LEU Oxide Oxidation Reduction Elements / Compacts /
Targets / Assemblies Scrap Recovery
5 o
BWXT is currently able to downblend HEU to HA-LEU during initial steps of fuel manufacturing process (e.g., TRISO) for demonstration quantities o
BWXT Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc. (NFS) is the only commercial company in the U.S. that is licensed and capable to downblend metric ton quantities of HEU
NFS currently downblends HEU to LEU ( 4.95% U235) in support of the NNSA Tritium mission (DBOT)
BWXT has produced over 2,000 MT of LEU via downblending since 1995 (NFS & NOG-L combined) o NFS is prepared to add equipment to existing capacity to accommodate blending to higher assays
1-2 MT HEU annually to produce up to 10 MT HA-LEU Product quantities depend on HEU and blendstock assays Product form as uranium oxide and metal Downblending Bridge Opportunity BWXTs Nuclear Fuel Services - Erwin, Tennessee
6 o
Since the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant ceased enrichment operations in 2013, no U.S. enrichment technology is in production use o
For defense purposes, enrichment technologies used and the uranium itself must be unencumbered (U.S. origin) o Enrichments required
LEU (up to 4.95% U235)
Tritium production (in TVA reactors)
HA-LEU (up to 19.75% U235)
DOD microreactors, advanced reactors, research reactors, and conversion of HEU research reactors to HA-LEU Non-defense related activities may use encumbered materials
HEU (up to 93% U235)
Naval fuel and weapons program modernization Replenish HEU used for HA-LEU via downblending Establishing Domestic U.S. Uranium Enrichment Capabilities BWXT is fully prepared to support DOE/NNSA in their endeavor to establish new U.S. technology-based enrichment capabilities.
2020 2030 2040 2050 2060 500 MT 0 MT Metric Tons (MT) HEU Defense, HEU Reserve NR, Sciences, Downblend to HA-LEU Domestic HEU Supply
7 o
Strategy: Perform chemical conversion at the HA-LEU enrichment plant and recycle tails (<5% U235) to the LEU enrichment plant
Avoid shipping HA-LEU as UF6 o
BWXT Demonstrated Experience
UF6 to U-oxides
U - metal and alloys to U - oxides (UO2, UO3, & U3O8)
UN - solutions (up to 750 g U / L)
U - silicide (U3Si2)
U - aluminides (UAlx)
U-oxides to U - carbides (UC & UC2) & oxycarbides (UCO)
U - nitride
UN - crystals to U - oxides HA-LEU De-conversion
8 o
Initial capacity = 120% of HA-LEU enrichment plant annual capacity o
Low-Risk Technical Approach (tried and true chemical processes)
Convert all UF6 to U-oxide first
Convert U-oxide to U-metal buttons Initial quantities determined by research reactor demand (2 to 3 MT HA-LEU initially)
Design and install U-salts production capability based on market demand UF4 capability will be established as an intermediate for U-metal conversion o
Include HA-LEU Scrap Recovery capability HA-LEU De-conversion - Modular Design with Expansion in Mind Ship U-oxide to fuel fab facility for TRISO or other oxide, oxycarbide, carbide or U-salt application as markets develop Ship U-metal to fuel fab facility for research reactor (U-Mo or U-Silicide) or other applications as markets develop UF4 (green salt) intermediate product if desired U-Metal Storage Convert to U-Metal U-Oxide Storage Convert to U-Oxide HA-LEUF6 from Enrichment Facility Product Storage
9 o
Strategy: Make maximum use of existing licensed facilities for HA-LEU Fuel Fab o
BWXT Demonstrated Capabilities
Research & Test Reactor Fuel
Advanced Reactor Fuel TRISO
Medical Isotope Targets (HEU & HA-LEU)
Nuclear Thermal Propulsion for Space (NASA) Applications HA-LEU Fuel Fabrication ORNLs High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR)
ORNLs High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR)
MIT Research Reactor Fuel Element U-metal Foils
10 10 o
Strategy: Make maximum use of existing/licensed shipping containers while developing more efficient containers for HA-LEU o
BWXT Recommendation
Make fuel form (e.g., TRISO) in the same factory as reactor fabrication
Ship manufactured fuel components or cores versus shipping fuel forms (e.g., TRISO) o BWXT Demonstrated Capabilities
Package design, inspection and maintenance
Safety analysis, licensing and QA Program
Holds NRC certificates for two Type B Containers:
UNC-2600 (HEU)
Extensive experience using and maintaining:
ES-3100 HEU transportation package LR-230 transportation package for LEU nitrate solution Research reactor fresh fuel packages for ATR, NIST & HFIR HA-LEU Transportation & Shipping Containers
11 11 o
Potential HA-LEU sources:
Downblend HEU (unirradiated)
Reprocess and downblend HEU (irradiated)
New enrichment capacity o
Existing ASTM specification for HA-LEU metal (C1462-00, re-approved 2013) is not adequate o
ASTM committee C26.02 (Fuel & Fertile Materials)
Collaborative assembly of designers, developers, producers, manufacturers, users and regulators
Credible specifications based on industry consensus Industry Collaboration on HA-LEU Requirements As an advanced reactor community, we must collaborate on HA-LEU quality requirements and create a high fidelity demand signal in order for HA-LEU to become a commodity.
12 12 o
Start immediately - provide funding to establish the capability to downblend HEU to produce and store HA-LEU as uranium metal and oxide
HEU allocation from U.S. stockpile is needed
Short term bridge solution o
Allocate funding and commence commercial design activities for a new centrifuge manufacturing facility and enrichment facilities all the way to HEU
Replenish HEU stockpile used for U.S. Defense applications
Provide sustainable HA-LEU supply for DoD microreactors, research and test reactors, and new commercial designs o
Re-establish the U.S. domestic natural uranium supply chain (mining and conversion) o Collaborate on HA-LEU requirements via ASTM Committee C26.02 The Way Ahead