Contract
The project aims to develop high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) fuel in accordance with the technical and functional specifications for Jimmy’s fuel manufacturing plant in le Creusot, France. NUKEM was responsible for designing and integrating the corresponding fuel manufacturing process.
Within the framework of EnBW decommissioning planning, NUKEM developed a waste treatment strategy for Neckarwestheim NPP units 1 and 2 and Philippsburg NPP units 1 and 2.
Description
Jimmy Energy is developing and implementing small modular reactors based on HTGR fuel technology to supply high-temperature heat for industrial applications. The small-reactor concept under development uses fuel compacts embedded in graphite blocks. The associated fuel fabrication facility is designed to manufacture fuel compacts containing uranium enriched to 19.75% U-235, also known as HALEU. Within the framework of several partnerships for the production of TRISO fuel compacts, the initial focus is on engineering the HTGR fuel production process. The project between Jimmy Energy and NUKEM was carried out in two phases between 2022 and 2025.
The study for EnKK covers the following:
Analysis of waste streams in the context of decommissioning activities at four reactor units
Development of an overall concept for waste treatment
Calculations of waste streams and process throughput
Conceptual analysis based on the market price method
Development of a conceptual design for a waste treatment centre
Cost calculations for the selected design concepts
The outcomes of the study define the basic approaches to waste treatment.
Services
NUKEM provided basic and detailed design services for the final fuel production process. This included preparing technical specifications for fuel production plant equipment and developing technical inquiry packages for long-lead items. NUKEM also advised Jimmy on the licensing process throughout the project and on nuclear safety-related matters.
NUKEM Technologies provided the following services:
Analysis of various aspects of the waste treatment:
Sorting
Segmentation and decontamination
Retrieval techniques
Size-reduction techniques
Documentation and waste tracking
Procurement of equipment
Waste treatment by external contractors
Elaboration of waste treatment concepts
Development of basic design concepts for waste treatment centres and interim storage facilities
