US nuclear fuel technology company Lightbridge Corporation has fabricated coupon samples using enriched uranium-zirconium alloy, a key step in the development of its next-generation Lightbridge Fuel. The samples represent the fuel material alloy composition Lightbridge plans to use in its commercial fuel product
Lightbridge successfully extruded enriched uranium-zirconium alloy samples that match the fuel material alloy composition intended for its future fuel. The extrusion process was performed using Lightbridge’s proprietary fabrication method, previously demonstrated at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), to extrude and co-extrude depleted uranium samples with zirconium-alloy cladding. This technology is now applied to the enriched alloy for further development.
The enriched coupon samples will be placed into capsules and undergo irradiation testing at INL’s Advanced Test Reactor (ATR). This work is part of an existing Cooperative Research & Development Agreement (CRADA) between Lightbridge and the INL.
The planned irradiation testing programme, along with post-irradiation examination activities (the scope of which will be detailed in a future Project Task Statement), is aimed at generating critical irradiation performance data for Lightbridge’s advanced fuel. This data will play a key role in supporting the company’s regulatory licensing and commercialisation efforts.
“The successful fabrication and upcoming irradiation testing of these enriched uranium-zirconium alloy samples will provide valuable data to support the development of Lightbridge’s advanced nuclear fuel technology,” said Ronald Crone, Associate Laboratory Director at INL.
“We are thrilled to reach this milestone in the development of our advanced fuel technology,” said Dr Scott Holcombe, Vice President of Engineering, at Lightbridge. “The successful fabrication of these enriched uranium-zirconium alloy coupon samples, to be followed by irradiation testing at INL’s Advanced Test Reactor, is a critical step toward our goal of delivering a safer, more efficient fuel solution for the nuclear energy industry. This collaborative effort with INL will provide essential data to support our regulatory approval process.”
Lightbridge is developing Lightbridge Fuel, a proprietary next-generation nuclear fuel technology for existing light water reactors and pressurised heavy water reactors. The Company is also developing fuel for new small modular reactors (SMRs). Lightbridge has entered into two long-term framework agreements with Battelle Energy Alliance, the US Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) operating contractor for INL.
DOE’s Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) programme has twice awarded Lightbridge to support the development of its fuel.
Lightbridge is participating in two university-led studies through the DOE Nuclear Energy University Program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Texas A&M University.
