Past Voucher Award Recipient Archives

Thermophysical Property Measurements of NaCl-KCl-UCl3

TerraPower will partner with Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) to generate NQA-1 qualifiable and traceable thermophysical property data for Beginning of Life (BOL) and simulated End of Life (EOL) ternary fuel salts. ANL has proven expertise in molten salt thermophysical measurement under NQA-1 standards. These results will directly inform reactor and component design, thermal hydraulic modeling, safety margines, and licensing strategies.

Thermophysical Property Measurements of NaCl-KCl-UCl3 Read More »

Development of Novel Deconversion Technology

Oklo will partner with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), which has demonstrated gram-scale reduction of UF6 to UF4 through an intermediary compound that significantly reduces the traditional method’s hazards. PNNL has also shown the viability of co-reducing fluorides to metal. The possibility of eliminating the intermediate UF4 production step will have the potential of increased throughput and process safety that will help accelerate deployment of a commercial fabrication facility.

Development of Novel Deconversion Technology Read More »

Uranium Post Mining Groundwater Quality Modeling and Column Testing

Uranium Post Mining Groundwater Quality Modeling and Column Testing Read More »

Molten Salt Nuclear Graphite Qualification Plan

Natura will partner with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to develop a graphite qualification plan and identify performance characteristics and development plans to design, approve, and perform graphite irradiations with fuel-bearing salts. The plan will look at utilizing the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at ORNL which would allow for rapid neutron irradiation of graphite (7-10 dpa per year) in a future irradiation test outside of the voucher scope. The project will also include the development of fuel-bearing, molten salt irradiation capsules to support the future irradiation test.

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Radiation Test of Smart Electric Cable for Nuclear Power Plants

AiMiLi will partner with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to access the Accelerated and Real-time Experimental Nodal Assessment (ARENA) Cable Test Bed and High Exposure Facility (HEF) gamma irradiation capabilities. These facilities can simulate adverse power plant environments in a testing environment.

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Reference Data for Determination of Carbon and Oxygen Content in TRISO Fuel Kernels

Standard Nuclear is developing alternative methods to assess the carbon and oxygen content in the fuel kernel. They will partner with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to perform LECO testing in the Low Activation Materials Development and Analysis (LAMDA) laboratory to help baseline and calibrate the method. By developing an alternative method for assessing carbon and oxygen content in TRISO fuel kernels, this project will reduce the cost and inefficiencies associated with current destructive testing methods.

Reference Data for Determination of Carbon and Oxygen Content in TRISO Fuel Kernels Read More »

Candidate Materials Tribology Testing for Sodium Bearing in Sodium Fast Reactors

Hayward Tyler will partner with Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) to perform tribological (wear) testing of several candidate materials that offer superior wear resistance while reducing the radiological hazards of cobalt bearing materials. They also plan to test the bearings to ascertain surface wear mechanisms using the Mechanisms Engineering Test Loop (METL) facility. The benefits of this project will be to identify alternative bearing materials to decrease costs and enhance safety.

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Safety, nuclear waste, water use: Here’s what you need to know about Utah’s nuclear push

Utah is already laying the groundwork for several small nuclear projects. The state hopes to build dozens of microreactors on military property, and the Utah Inland Port Authority is considering developing microreactors in Emery County. Meanwhile, the state is pursuing a lawsuit against the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to loosen licensing requirements for small nuclear reactors.

Safety, nuclear waste, water use: Here’s what you need to know about Utah’s nuclear push Read More »

Independent Verification and Benchmark of Deep Fission’s Deep Borehole Microreactor Thermal Hydraulic System Behavior, Deep Fission

Deep Fission will partner with Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to enhance its thermal hydraulics infrastructure using RELAP5-3D modeling. INL has unique expertise in developing thermomechanical and thermos-hydro-mechanical models in deep geological repositories for used nuclear fuel and geothermal applications involving deep hole drilling and heat extraction.

Independent Verification and Benchmark of Deep Fission’s Deep Borehole Microreactor Thermal Hydraulic System Behavior, Deep Fission Read More »

Development of Analytical Techniques for Trace Impurities in 2LiF-BeF2, Kairos Power

Kairos will partner with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to extend measurements of dissolved oxygen and corrosion products in FLiBe to the full range of relevant/significant impurities, as well as incorporating the measurement methods into their quality assurance program/practices. Refinement of analytical methods for species in salt that impact system operation will enable Kairos to continue along the aggressive timeline for near term nuclear demonstration and commercial deployment.

Development of Analytical Techniques for Trace Impurities in 2LiF-BeF2, Kairos Power Read More »