这Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation(USNC) has announced plans to locate its pilot fuel manufacturing (PFM) operations in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, in close proximity to the USDepartment of Energy’s(DoE)Oak Ridge National Laboratory（ORNL）。
USNC的新设施将利用ORNL和附近DOE国家核安全管理局的专业劳动力和能力Y-12National Security Complexto ramp up the development of advanced nuclear fuel solutions, including the use of additive manufacturing.
“Proximity to ORNL and Y-12, as well as access to east Tennessee’s highly skilled and motivated nuclear workforce, was a key consideration in our site selection,” said Kurt Terrani, Executive Vice President of USNC’s Core Division.
“我们从田纳西州社区和经济发展部以及田纳西谷管理局获得的出色支持使我们更容易在Oak Ridge设置PFM设施。”
Benefiting from ORNL’s capabilities
USNC总部位于西雅图，是微反应器和核电技术开发的全球领导者。1月，该公司宣布已licensed ORNL’s novel methodto 3D print components for nuclear reactors using refractory metals such as silicon carbide.
ORNL的技术将Binder Jet 3D打印与化学蒸气浸润工艺相结合反应堆组件的更有效制造具有更大的复杂性。许可该方法后，USNC旨在推动其使命，开发和部署也具有商业竞争力的基于核能的能源生成设备。
USNC从高温陶瓷碳化物中生产其核反应堆核心成分，但是该材料的加工反应堆零件是时间敏感且便宜的。ORNL的3D打印方法将使公司能够更有效地生产碳化硅成分，并且几何形状否则就无法通过常规制造方法生产。
根据Ornl教授Kathy McCarthy和Xin Sun的说法3D印刷核部件的认证和资格is a key element to the technology’s wider adoption, and USNC’s licensing of ORNL’s additive manufacturing method marks a significant step forward for the technology within the nuclear space.
USNC的PFM设施
USNC的新PFM设施位于Oak Ridge的East Tennessee Technology Park的一个8.7英亩的地点，距离Ornl的主要校园仅几分钟路程。
“As a national leader in clean, reliable nuclear energy, Tennessee plays a significant role in powering America and fueling our economy,” said Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. “Our highly skilled workforce, strong business climate and local advantages make Oak Ridge the premier location for USNC, and I commend their decision to expand in Tennessee.”
预计该工厂将在今年夏天投入运营，主要专注于制造Triso涂层燃料颗粒和USNC专有的完全陶瓷微型封装（FCM）核燃料。PFM设施将能够将原料铀粉处理成Triso燃料颗粒，以便以多公斤数量生产FCM燃料。
设施内部以实现这些目标的制造模块和技术是基于最初在ORNL的DOE计划下开发的较小规模的系统，其中包括今年早些时候获得ORNL许可的3D打印过程。
Once codified and demonstrated, the manufacturing modules will be deployed into new production facilities to meet the demand for fueling USNC’s Micro Modular Reactor (MMR) and other terrestrial and space energy systems.
According to USNC, the proximity to ORNL and the continued cooperation between the two partners will be “highly instrumental” in USNC’s efforts to commercialize the technologies and establish a cost-effective advanced nuclear fuel supply chain.
“It’s great to see companies like USNC co-locating near the laboratory to further collaborations on nuclear fuel R&D efforts that benefit our community and are key to net-zero goals,” said McCarthy.
USNC has invested more than $12 million in the new PFM facility, with more funding expected to follow. The new facility is expected to create more than 30 highly skilled jobs within its first two years of operation.
USNC的首席执行官Francesco Venneri表示：“ USNC在PFM设施和美国其他高级制造设施中的投资表明，我们的微型模块化反应堆的商业化即将进行。”“我们在MMR的演变中达到了一个关键，采用了完善的技术，与监管机构的响应迅速参与以及在多个地区的客户需求，在这些地区有保证建立强大的制造基地的坚定承诺。
“ PFM设施是我们朝这个方向采取的极为重要的步骤。”
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Featured image showsUSNC has licensed ORNL’s novel additive manufacturing method to produce complex nuclear reactor components. Photo via Carlos Jones/ORNL.
