Scaling Up TRISO Fuel Manufacturing
The fuel fabrication sector for advanced nuclear reactors is seeing significant momentum in the United States. TRISO-X, a subsidiary of X-energy, has officially begun the next phase of construction at its TX-1 advanced nuclear fuel fabrication facility located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. This massive 214,000-square-foot plant is a cornerstone of the domestic supply chain for high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) fueled reactors.
Production Capacity and Licensing Milestones
Once fully operational, the TX-1 facility is expected to produce an impressive 700,000 TRISO-X pebbles per year, equating to approximately 5 metric tons of uranium (MTU). This output is sufficient to fuel up to 11 Xe-100 advanced small modular reactors. Crucially, TRISO-X holds a 40-year Special Nuclear Material License from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). This marks a historic milestone, as it is the first Category 2 HALEU fuel facility license ever issued.
"The TX-1 facility is expected to produce 700,000 TRISO-X pebbles per year, enough to fuel up to 11 Xe-100 reactors."
To support this ambitious manufacturing goal, TRISO-X has also secured additional real estate. The company acquired approximately 70 acres of land adjacent to its commercial nuclear fuel campus in Oak Ridge. This expansion increases its Horizon Center Industrial Park footprint from about 125 to over 180 acres, providing essential space for utility corridors and future infrastructure development.
Furthermore, TRISO-X has extended its cooperative research and development partnership with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) through a new 30-month agreement. This collaboration is vital for advancing commercial-scale TRISO nuclear fuel manufacturing and allows the company to continue operating its pilot fuel fabrication facility at the national laboratory, ensuring a seamless transition to full-scale commercial production.
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