- Global Nuclear Fuel’s Wilmington facility receives historic NRC approval, becoming the first commercial plant in the US licensed to fabricate fuel enrichments containing up to 8% uranium-235.
- The approval signifies a pivotal step towards advancing nuclear fuel technologies, enabling the production of higher-assay low-enriched uranium fuels crucial for upcoming advanced and modular reactor designs.
- Collaborative efforts between industry leaders and government agencies, supported by initiatives like the US Department of Energy’s Accident Tolerant Fuel Program, drive innovation and pave the way for a cleaner, more efficient energy future.
The recent approval by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for Global Nuclear Fuel’s Wilmington, North Carolina plant to fabricate fuel enrichments containing up to 8% uranium-235 (U-235) heralds a groundbreaking development in the US nuclear industry. This landmark decision positions the facility as the nation’s inaugural commercial entity licensed for such operations.
Under this approval, GNF gains the authority to transport nuclear fuel bundles enriched up to 8% U-235, facilitated by the issuance of a Certificate of Compliance for its RAJ-II shipping container. Moreover, the NRC’s green light on licensing topical reports for advanced nuclear methodologies empowers GNF to explore fuels with enrichments surpassing the conventional 5% threshold, promising enhanced operational efficiencies.
Conventional light water reactors have historically relied on low-enriched uranium (LEU), typically containing up to 4.8% U-235. However, emerging interest in slightly higher enrichment levels, termed LEU+, reaching up to 10% U-235, has prompted industry exploration. Additionally, the spectrum extends to high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) fuels, containing 5% to 20% U-235, pivotal for upcoming advanced and modular reactor designs.
Mike Chilton, GNF’s Executive Vice President, underscores the company’s commitment to innovation and meeting evolving industry demands. These regulatory endorsements mark a continuation of GNF’s legacy of supplying dependable fuel solutions while positioning it to support forthcoming reactor technologies.
This regulatory milestone owes much to collaborative efforts between GNF, GE Vernova’s Advanced Research division, and the US Department of Energy’s Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF) Program. These initiatives have fostered technological advancements, supported by industry leaders like Framatome, GE/GNF, and Westinghouse, as they develop novel ATF concepts with DOE backing.
Previously, Southern Nuclear received NRC authorization to utilize advanced nuclear fuel enriched up to 6% U-235 at Vogtle unit 2, further signaling the industry’s shift towards embracing higher enrichment levels for commercial reactor operations.
