Efficient Additive Manufacturing for Advanced U-X Nuclear Fuel Alloys

Revolutionizing nuclear fuel production with a streamlined, cost-effective additive manufacturing process for U-X alloys.

The Challenge

Fabricating U-X compounds like U3Si2 and U-Mo alloys for nuclear applications is plagued by inefficiencies and high costs. Traditional methods require multiple processing steps, such as powder fabrication, pressing, and sintering, all of which introduce production delays and increased safety concerns. Moreover, the reliance on uranium metal and conventional techniques creates additional hazards and regulatory challenges, impeding commercial scalability and adoption.

How It Works

This patented technology employs a Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS) additive manufacturing process to directly fabricate U-X alloys and compounds:

• Precision Deposition: The LENS system uses a localized melt pool to blend multiple powder sources, ensuring uniform chemical composition and properties.
• Versatility: The method accommodates gas/solid and solid/solid reactions, enabling the production of various fuel types, including monolithic and dispersive metallic fuels.
• Minimized Variability: Controlled deposition minimizes absorptance fluctuations, ensuring consistency in material properties.
• Simplified Workflow: This eliminates intermediate steps such as powder preparation and pressing, directly converting uranium precursors like UF4 into finished fuel forms.

Key Advantages

• Reduced Complexity: Eliminates multiple traditional steps, streamlining the manufacturing process.
• Lower Costs: Avoids the need for uranium metal, reducing material costs and associated security requirements.
• Enhanced Safety: Minimizes hazards by replacing traditional powder metallurgy with additive techniques.
• Improved Thermal Conductivity: Facilitates the production of accident-tolerant fuels like U3Si2, with superior thermal performance compared to UO2.
• Customizable Fuel Designs: Enables precise control over alloy composition, supporting tailored solutions for diverse reactor needs.

Market Applications

• Commercial Nuclear Reactors: Fabrication of U3Si2 as a next-generation accident-tolerant fuel for light water reactors.
• Research Reactors: Production of low-enriched uranium fuels, such as U-Mo monolithic and Al-matrix dispersive fuels, essential for scientific research and isotope production.
• Defense and Space Applications: Advanced nuclear fuels for specialized reactors in defense and space exploration.

INL’s Technology Deployment department focuses solely on licensing intellectual property and collaborating with industry partners who can commercialize our innovations.

We do not engage in purchasing, procurement, or hiring external services for technology development. Our objective is to connect with companies interested in licensing and bringing our technologies to market.