Isotopes for the Energy Industry - The Next Generation of Green Nuclear Fuel
haleu
Green Energy Isotopes
We are witnessing a resurgence in green nuclear energy:
- It is widely acknowledged that nuclear power will be required to meet climate goals later this century
- Many companies across the world are racing to deliver the new generation of advanced reactors: Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
- Traditional nuclear reactors are currently fueled by LEU (Low Enriched Uranium)
- SMRs will require HALEU (High Assay Low Enriched Uranium) which is considered safer and more versatile
- There is currently no producer of HALEU in the Western world
ASP’s technology is ideally suited to the production of HALEU. In fact, our technology had its start in the enrichment of Uranium.
Many countries, including the USA, are actively supporting the development of SMRs and the manufacturing of HALEU:
High volume, High value
Competitively Priced
Haleu
HALEU Supply chain issues
Low Enriched Uranium (LEU) is already widely available.
Current commercial LWRs use LEU which has less than 5% U-235 content.
High Assay Low Enriched Uranium will be required.
Most advanced reactors will require HALEU with enrichments up to 19.75%.
U.S. government financial commitment.
The U.S. government has made a multi-billion-dollar commitment to help commercialize HALEU-fueled advanced reactors.
No commercial source of HALEU in the Western World.
Currently there is no commercial supply source of HALEU in the Western World. Without fuel, these SMR’s are unlikely to become a reality.
Huge estimated demand.
The NEI estimate that US domestic demand for HALEU could reach >600 MT by 2035.
Market dynamics
The world is at a turning point in nuclear reactor design
Gen I
Early Prototype Reactors
- Typically ran at power levels that were “proof of concept”.
- Most reactors have now ceased operations
Shippingport, Magnox Dresden, Fermi I
Gen III
Advanced LWR’s
- Evolutionary reactors with Active Safety.
- Longer operational life, typically 60 years of operation.
ABWR, APR1400 VVER1200, ATMEA 1
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010
2020
2030
Gen II
Commercial Power Reactors
- Typical operational lifetime of 40 years.
- Comprise the bulk of the world’s 400+ commercial reactors.
Polo Verde, Bruce, Grand Gulf, Kursk
Gen IIIa
Advanced Reactors
- Evolutionary reactors with Passive Safety.
- Longer operational life, typically 60 years of operation.
AP1000, ESBWR, NuScale SMR
Gen I
Early Prototype Reactors
- Typically ran at power levels that were “proof of concept”.
- Most reactors have now ceased operations
Shippingport, Magnox Dresden, Fermi I
Gen II
Commercial Power Reactors
- Typical operational lifetime of 40 years.
- Comprise the bulk of the world’s 400+ commercial reactors.
Polo Verde, Bruce, Grand Gulf, Kursk
Gen III
Advanced LWR’s
- Evolutionary reactors with Active Safety.
- Longer operational life, typically 60 years of operation.
ABWR, APR1400 VVER1200, ATMEA 1
Gen IIIa
XXXX
- Evolutionary reactors with Passive Safety.
- Longer operational life, typically 60 years of operation.
AP1000, ESBWR, NuScale SMR
Small Modular Reactors
Fast Reactors
- Gas Cooled
- Sodium Cooled
- Lead Cooled
Molten Salt Reactors
Micro Reactors
- Nuclear reactors of the future are likely to be smaller, safer and more efficient
- The key part of the DOE’s goal is to develop safe, clean, and affordable nuclear power options
- Advanced SMRs offer many advantages, such as relatively small physical footprints, reduced capital investment, ability to be sited in locations not possible for larger nuclear plants, and provisions for incremental power additions
- Light water-cooled SMRs, which are under licensing review by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) will likely be deployed in the late 2020s to early 2030s
SMR's
The Benefits of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
Modularity
- The ability to fabricate major components of the nuclear steam supply system in a factory environment and ship to the point of use
- Limited on-site preparation to substantially reduce the lengthy construction times that are typical of larger units
- Simplicity of design, enhanced safety features, the economics and quality afforded by factory production, and more flexibility (financing, siting, sizing, and end-use applications) compared to larger nuclear power plants. Ability to be sited in locations not possible for larger nuclear plants, and provisions for incremental power additions
- Additional modules can be added incrementally as demand for energy increases
Lower Capital Investment
- SMRs can reduce a nuclear plant owner’s capital investment due to the lower plant capital cost
- Modular components and factory fabrication can reduce construction costs and duration
Siting Flexibility
- SMRs can provide power for applications where large plants are not needed or when sites lack the infrastructure to support a large unit. This can include smaller electrical markets, isolated areas, smaller grids, sites with limited water and acreage, or unique industrial applications
- SMRs are expected to be attractive options for the replacement or repowering of aging/retiring fossil plants. They may also provide an option to complement existing industrial processes or power plants with an energy source that does not emit greenhouse gases
Greater Efficiency
- SMRs can be coupled with other energy sources, including renewables and fossil energy, to leverage resources and produce higher efficiencies and multiple energy end-products while increasing grid stability and security
- Some advanced SMR designs can produce a higher temperature processing heat for either electricity generation or industrial applications
Safeguards & Security/ Nonproliferation
- SMR designs have the distinct advantage of factoring in current safeguards and security requirements
- Facility protection systems including barriers that can withstand design basis aircraft crash scenarios and other specific threats
- SMRs provide potential nonproliferation benefits. Most SMRs will be built below grade for safety and security enhancements, addressing vulnerabilities to both sabotage and natural phenomena hazard scenarios. Some SMRs will be designed to operate for extended periods without refueling to minimize the transportation and handling of nuclear material
Economic Development
- SMR deployment replacing retiring electricity generation assets and meeting growing generating needs would result in significant growth in domestic manufacturing, tax base, and high-paying factory, construction and operating jobs
- A 2010 study on economic and employment impacts of SMR deployment estimated that a prototypical 100 MWe SMR costing $500 million to manufacture and install would create nearly 7,000 jobs and generate $1.3 billion in sales, $404 million in earnings (payroll), and $35 million in indirect business taxes. The report examines these impacts for multiple SMR deployment rates, such as low (1-2 units/year), moderate (30 units/year), high (40 units/year), and disruptive (85 units/year). The study indicates significant economic impact would be realized by developing an SMR manufacturing enterprise at even moderate deployment levels