ML24046A017
| ML24046A017 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 02/22/2024 |
| From: | Dix J NRC/OCM |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML24011A053 | List: |
| References | |
| M240222A | |
| Download: ML24046A017 (1) | |
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National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (DNN)
NRC Commission Meeting on the Research and Test Reactors Regulatory Program Joanie Dix February 22, 2024
Program approaches:
- Qualification and fabrication of high-density HALEU fuels
- Sustainable supply of HALEU for domestic and international partners for research reactors and isotope production
- Production of non-HEU-based Mo-99 in the United States
- Proliferation resistance in new reactor facility design and deployment Convert Overview Belgiums BR-2 research reactor Objective: Modify/convert facilities to eliminate the need for, and production of, weapons-usable materials in civilian applications, while maintaining critical mission performance
- Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99):
o Vital medical isotope used in over 40,000 U.S. diagnostic procedures per day o
U.S. historically relied on imported Mo-99, which was produced using HEU
- International Efforts:
o All major global Mo-99 producers now use HALEU o
U.S. has ended exports of HEU for medical isotope production
- U.S. Domestic Efforts:
o Significant progress made in establishing production infrastructure o
Challenges with private financing and commercialization o
NNSA is continuing to provide financial, technical, uranium leasing, and waste take-back support to U.S. companies Mo-99 Activities
Significant progress in the conversion and/or verification of the shutdown of research reactors and medical isotope production facilities worldwide from HEU to HALEU 109 facilities no longer use HEU fuel or targets International Reactor Conversions Engagement underway with multiple international partners As conversions continue, use and exports of HALEU are expected to steadily increase Domestic Reactor Conversions NNSA is working toward converting the six high performance research reactors to HALEU fuel Comprehensive series of irradiations over the next 4 years for the final demonstration of a new uranium-molybdenum monolithic (U-10Mo) fuel MOU with the NRC to help facilitate cooperation on qualifying the new fuel and approval of license Reactor Conversions