ML24047A013

M240222A: Slides - A. Boulanger - Update on Research and Test Reactors Regulatory Program

ML24047A013
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Issue date:	02/22/2024
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M240222A
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Univer sity Fuel Ser vices Pr og r am

Andrew Boulanger, Ph.D.

University Fuel Services Program Manager Office of Nuclear Energy Department of Energy

February 22, 2024 Univer sity Fuel Ser vices Over view

• University Fuel Services program provides U.S. government-ow ned fuel to 25 NRC-licensed university-based research and test reactors at low or no cost to the universities

• Spent or damaged used fuel is returned to the U.S. Government for disposition through the University Fuel Services program

• Some universities reactors supported b y the University Fuel Services program are engaged w ith isotope production

• The follow ing activities are beyond the present scope of University Fuel Services

• Development of new fuel types for NRC review and approval

• Providing reactor operation equipment

• Providing enriched uranium (e.g. HALEU) directly to universities

• Providing universities with ancillary components related to fuel fabrication or assembly

February 22, 2024 2 Univer sity Fuel Ser vices Oper ations

• University Fuel Services program WSU has been implemented through the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) site Reed since 1977 OSU UML

• I NL has contractual agreements w ith 24 ISU RPI MIT universities w ith NRC-licensed research UW-Madison 10 and test reactors for fuel supply and UC Davis PSU RINSC disposition Purdue OSU UU UMD

• 12 Training, Research, Isotopes, General KSU MU Atomics (TRIGA) fuel facilities

• 8 plate fuel facilities MS&T

• 3 Aerojet General Nucleonics NCSU (AGN) facilities UCI UNM

• 1 PULSTAR facility

• 1 critical facility

UT, Austin TAMU UF

February 22, 2024 3 Univer sity Fuel Ser vicesRecent Activities

• First delivery of 30 new ly manufactured TRIGA fuel elements in September 2023

• Storing new ly manufactured TRIGA fuel elements at the INL to alleviate possession limit requirements at universities https://www.energy.gov/ne/articles/penn-state-receives-worlds-first-new-triga-fuel-shipment-more-decade

February 22, 2024 4 Advanced Resear ch Reactor s

• University based advanced research reactors could provide excellent opportunities

• Teaching tools for student and future work force development

• Research opportunities

• Possible production of isotopes

• Recent changes in authorization show promise in supporting advanced research reactors

• CHIPS Act of 2022

• National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2023

• DOE welcomes the potential benefits that advanced research reactors would bring to the nuclear research community

February 22, 2024 5 T hank you