Introduction: US Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC) authorized Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to use additive manufacturing technology to produce complex core components for nuclear reactors, ORNL’s3D printingThe technology will allow the company to manufacture silicon carbide components more efficiently, with complex geometries capabilities not possible with traditional manufacturing.
January 2022 U.S. Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC) announced the establishment of Pilot Fuel Manufacturing (PFM) operations in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, U.S.
energy
Department of Energy (DoE) near Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).
Accelerate nuclear fuel solutions and development
USNC’s new facility will leverage expertise from ORNL and DOE’s National Nuclear Security Administration’s Y-12 (National Security Complex)
talent
and accelerate the development of advanced nuclear fuel solutions with the help of additive manufacturing technologies.
Introduction to the Y-12, to ensure the United States’ nuclear deterrent capability. Responsible for retrieving and storing nuclear material, fueling U.S. Navy reactors, and providing complementary work to other government and private sector entities.
USNC “We received great support from the Tennessee Department of Community and Economic Development and the Tennessee Valley Authority, so our PFM facility was located in Oak Ridge.”
Benefit from ORNL’s capabilities
Headquartered in Seattle, USNC is a global leader in the development of microreactors and nuclear power technologies.In January of this year, the company announced that it had licensed ORNL to use new technology to convert refractory silicon carbide and otherMetal 3D PrintingNucleation reactor components.
ORNL’s technology jets adhesive3D printing technologyCombined with the chemical vapor infiltration process, more complex reactor assemblies can be manufactured more efficiently. After licensing the method, USNC aims to develop and deploy safer and more commercially competitive power generation equipment for nuclear reactors through additive manufacturing technology.
USNC uses high temperature resistance
ceramics
Silicon carbide makes its nuclear reactor core components, and the material is used to manufacture reactor components in a short time and at low cost. ORNL’s 3D printing method will allow the company to efficiently produce silicon carbide components for nuclear energy, with the ability to produce geometries that traditional manufacturing methods cannot.
3D printing takes an important step
According to ORNL professors Kathy McCarthy and Xin Sun, the certification and qualification of 3D printed nuclear components is a key factor in the future development of the technology, and the USNC’s licensing of ORNL’s additive manufacturing marks an important step forward for the technology in the nuclear field. step.
“As a national leader in clean, reliable nuclear energy, Tennessee plays an important role in powering America and propelling our economy,” said Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. “Our highly skilled tech talent, strong business environment and local strengths make Oak Ridge a premier location for USNC.”
The plant, expected to be operational this summer, will primarily focus on manufacturing TRISO-coated fuel pellets and USN’s proprietary Full Ceramic Microencapsulation (FCM) nuclear fuel. The PFM facility will be able to process raw uranium powder into TRISO fuel pellets to produce several kilograms of FCM fuel.
Earlier, ORNL developed and experimented with various manufacturing techniques at the DoE to achieve these goals, including a 3D printing process that was earlier licensed from ORNL.
The final 3D-produced components pass relevant technical tests, and the resulting 3D-printed nuclear power plant components will be used in the new production facility to meet the requirements for fueling USNC’s Micro Modular Reactor (MMR) and other land and space energy systems. need.
USNC already on new PFM facility
Invest
more than $12 million is expected, with additional funding expected. The new factory is expected to create more than 30 high-skilled jobs within its first two years of operation.
(responsible editor: admin)
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