ML24047A013
| ML24047A013 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 02/22/2024 |
| From: | NRC/OCM |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML24011A053 | List: |
| References | |
| M240222A | |
| Download: ML24047A013 (1) | |
Text
University Fuel Services Program Andrew Boulanger, Ph.D.
University Fuel Services Program Manager Office of Nuclear Energy Department of Energy February 22, 2024
University Fuel Services Overview
- University Fuel Services program provides U.S. government-owned 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 by the University Fuel Services program are engaged with isotope production
- The following 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 universities with ancillary components related to fuel fabrication or assembly February 22, 2024 2
University Fuel Services Operations University Fuel Services program has been implemented through the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) site since 1977 INL has contractual agreements with 24 universities with NRC-licensed research and test reactors for fuel supply and disposition 12 Training, Research, Isotopes, General Atomics (TRIGA) fuel facilities 8 plate fuel facilities 3 Aerojet General Nucleonics (AGN) facilities 1 PULSTAR facility 1 critical facility 10 UC Davis UF ISU Purdue KSU UML UMD MS&T MU NCSU UNM RPI MIT OSU OSU PSU RINSC UT, Austin TAMU UU WSU UW-Madison Reed UCI February 22, 2024 3
University Fuel Services Recent Activities
- First delivery of 30 newly manufactured TRIGA fuel elements in September 2023
- Storing newly manufactured TRIGA fuel elements at the INL to alleviate possession limit requirements at universities February 22, 2024 4
Advanced Research Reactors
- 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
Thank you