IBC Advanced Alloys Corp. has signed a memorandum of understanding with Global Nuclear Fuel America to study ways to make reactor fuel more efficient using beryllium oxide.
The announcement follows two years of fuel research sponsored by IBC in an existing partnership with Texas A & M and Purdue Universities. Last fall, Purdue filed provisional patents related to the project, with IBC retaining options to the intellectual property.
Under the MOU, announced Wednesday in an IBC news release, the companies will continue that research by launching an industry study on using beryllium oxide technology to improve thermal conductivity in boiling water reactor fuel. GNF will apply an advanced oxide process to uranium fuel pellets produced at its Wilmington, N.C., fuel fabrication plant.
"We are excited to work with IBC to help evaluate this innovative advanced oxide process to enhance the thermal performance of our BWR fuel, which in turn would result in fuel cycle benefits for plant operators," said Nicole Holmes, president and CEO of GNF. "The potential benefits of the improved thermal conductivity fuel include lower operating temperatures for the fuel while delivering the same energy to the reactor system."
IBC is an integrated manufacturer and distributor of rare-metal-based alloys and products headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. In addition to the nuclear industry, its industrial applications also serve the automotive, telecommunications and other sectors.
GNF is a joint venture of GE, Hitachi Ltd. and Toshiba Corporation. GNF is a leading fabricator and supplier of BWR fuel and services.