Move allowed after completing operational readiness review
Centrus Energy Corp, a Maryland-based supplier of nuclear fuel, has been granted permission by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to store uranium at its production facilities in Piketon, Ohio, and introduce uranium into the cascade of centrifuges Centrus has constructed onsite.
The decision comes after Centrus completed the operational readiness reviews needed for its plans to produce high-assay, low-enriched uranium (Haleu) by the end of the year.
Centrus president Daniel Poneman said the decision helps the company adhere to timeframe and budgetary forecasts that will put the company at the forefront of Haleu production in the US and help it play a key role in the broader growth of the industry.
“By establishing a secure, reliable American source of Haleu, we can help enable the commercialisation of a whole new generation of US-designed advanced nuclear reactors to supply the carbon-free energy the world needs,” said Poneman.
Centrus initiated the construction of centrifuges in 2019 as part of a contract with the US Department of Energy (DOE). Since then, the company has secured additional contracts to complete construction, fulfill regulatory requirements, initiate operations, and produce Haleu for the DOE.
The operational readiness reviews were conducted as part of compliance obligations related to Centrus' NRC license, which was successfully amended in 2021, designating the Piketon site as the sole NRC-licensed Haleu production facility allowed to enrich uranium up to 20% Uranium-235 (U-235)
Centrus said that after completing a cascade of centrifuges at Piketon, the next stages will involve the completion of the onsite Haleu storage area and conducting remaining testing activities before starting Haleu production by the end of this year.
Haleu is an essential advanced nuclear fuel required for the development of most next-generation reactor designs. It is essential for ninety percent of advanced reactor designs selected for funding under the DOE’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Programme.
Aside from ongoing operations, Centrus is exploring the possibility of expanding the Piketon facility to accommodate additional centrifuge cascades for increased Haleu production. However, this expansion is subject to securing adequate funding or offtake contracts.
If funding is secured, a full-scale Haleu cascade, comprising 120 centrifuge machines with a combined capacity of approximately 6,000 kilograms of Haleu per year (6 MTU/year), could be operational in less than four years. Centrus has the capability to add an additional cascade every six months thereafter.
