Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation has licensed a novel method to 3D print highly resistant components for use in nuclear reactor designs. The technology uses a sophisticated additive manufacturing technique to print refractory materials, which are highly resistant to extreme heat and degradation, into components with complex shapes needed for advanced nuclear reactor designs. USNC will incorporate this method to boost their mission to develop and deploy nuclear-based, energy-generating equipment that is safe, commercially competitive and simple to use.
The ORNL-developed alternative combines binder jet printing as the additive manufacturing technique and a ceramic production process called chemical vapor infiltration, which will allow USNC to make components more efficiently with desired complex shapes, such as fluid channels in a heat exchanger.
The energy company plans to continue its collaboration with ORNL. The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit energy.
Developed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory , the method combines binder jet 3D printing techniques with a chemical vapor infiltration process that enables the creation of reactor components more efficiently and with greater complexity. Through licensing the method, USNC hopes to drive forward its mission to develop and deploy nuclear-based energy-generating equipment that is not only safe and simple to use, but is also commercially competitive.
However, within the next 30 years many current nuclear reactors will likely be retired as they are based on year-old light water technology. The process combines binder jetting and a ceramic production process to create components of complex shapes more efficiently, such as fluid channels within a heat exchanger. The method also enables the printing of high-temperature alloys and refractory metals which, due to their resistance to extreme heat and degradation, are vital to the safe operation of nuclear reactor components.
For Ontario Power Generation to maintain our licences, we must demonstrate that we continue to meet and exceed national safety standards. It is a responsibility we take very seriously, and we continually work with the regulator and our host communities to demonstrate this. All OPG nuclear facilities, including the Darlington and Pickering power plants and our three waste management sites, must maintain an operating licence from the CNSC by demonstrating we continuously meet the requirements of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act, applicable regulations and the licence.
Obtaining a licence from the CNSC is a challenging process. A licence is only issued when an applicant:. CNSC staff work onsite doing daily field inspections, attending OPG meetings and are embedded in station operations to monitor ongoing activities, and ensure we are meeting licence requirements. We maintain open and transparent communication with the CNSC in order to demonstrate our continued commitment to public safety.
Learn more about our current operating licences across all of our facilities. Accessible versions available upon request to AODA opg. Status: Currently, Darlington Nuclear is undergoing a multi-year refurbishment to safely extend operations for another 30 years. Learn more about the Darlington Refurbishment here. Related documents include:.
Status: Pickering was granted an operating licence to This licence period includes operations to the end of , followed by safe storage activities to the end of when OPG will begin the process of safe shutdown. Read the detailed decision on the CNSC website. Status: The Nuclear Sustainability Services - Western facility currently holds a ten-year operating licence. Status: The Nuclear Sustainability Services-Darlington facility currently holds a ten-year operating licence.
CNSC is currently conducting a sufficiency review. Status: The Nuclear Sustainability Services-Pickering facility currently holds a ten-year operating licence. Explore our Nuclear Safety Systems to learn more. Learn how OPG builds safety into every step of our energy production and about our comprehensive emergency preparedness plans for Ontarians. See how OPG builds security and safety into each step of our nuclear energy production for Ontario.
0コメント