Thursday, September 07, 2023 8:12:29 PM
Centrus brings forward HALEU production date
US nuclear fuel and services company Centrus Energy Corp announced that it expects to begin first-of-a-kind production of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) at the American Centrifuge Plant in Piketon, Ohio, in October - about two months ahead of schedule.
The Piketon centrifuge cascade (Image: Centrus)
HALEU fuel contains uranium enriched to between 5% and 20% uranium-235 - higher than the uranium fuel used in light-water reactors currently in operation, which typically contains up to 5% uranium-235. It will be needed by most of the advanced reactor designs being developed under the US Department of Energy's (DOE's) Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program. But the lack of a commercial supply chain to support these reactors has prompted the DOE to launch a programme to stimulate the development of a domestic source of HALEU.
Centrus began construction of the demonstration cascade of 16 centrifuges in 2019 under contract with the DOE, and last year secured a further USD150 million of cost-shared funding to finish the cascade, complete final regulatory steps, begin operating the cascade, and produce up to 20 kg of HALEU by the end of this year.
In June, Centrus announced it had successfully completed its operational readiness reviews with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and received NRC approval to possess uranium at the Piketon site - the last major regulatory hurdle prior to beginning production.
Centrus is now conducting final system tests and other preparations so that production can begin in October.
"This will be the first new US-owned uranium enrichment plant to begin production since 1954," said Centrus President and CEO Daniel Poneman. "What better way to commemorate the 70th anniversary of President Eisenhower's historic Atoms for Peace initiative than to restore a domestic uranium enrichment capability that will support our energy security and clean power needs, enable long-term national security and non-proliferation goals, and generate great new jobs for American workers."
Centrus said the capacity of the 16-centrifuge cascade will be modest - about 900 kilograms of HALEU per year - but with sufficient funding and offtake commitments, the company could significantly expand production. It says a full-scale HALEU cascade, consisting of 120 centrifuge machines, with a combined capacity to produce approximately 6000 kilograms of HALEU per year, could be brought online within about 42 months of securing the necessary funding. Centrus said it could add an additional HALEU cascade every six months after that.
Recent LTBR News
- Lightbridge to Hold Business Update & First Quarter 2024 Earnings Conference Call on Friday, May 10th at 11 a.m. ET • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 05/01/2024 12:00:00 PM
- Ambassador Thomas Graham, Jr. Appointed As Chairman Emeritus of Lightbridge Corporation • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/18/2024 12:00:00 PM
- Lightbridge Senior Executives Assume Key Positions in Prestigious Nuclear Energy Industry Groups • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 03/21/2024 12:00:00 PM
- Lightbridge Achieves Critical Fabrication Development Milestone by Demonstrating the Extrusion Process for Uranium-Zirconium Samples • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 03/18/2024 10:00:00 AM
- Lightbridge Announces Upcoming Nuclear Events • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 03/13/2024 12:00:00 PM
- Form DEF 14A - Other definitive proxy statements • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 03/08/2024 10:00:11 PM
- Form 10-K - Annual report [Section 13 and 15(d), not S-K Item 405] • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 03/04/2024 10:21:23 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 03/01/2024 04:02:18 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 03/01/2024 04:02:03 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 03/01/2024 04:01:54 PM
- Lightbridge Provides Business Update and Announces Fiscal Year 2023 Financial Results • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 02/28/2024 09:05:00 PM
- Lightbridge CEO Seth Grae Issues Update Letter to Shareholders • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 02/27/2024 01:00:00 PM
- Lightbridge to Hold Business Update & Fiscal Year 2023 Earnings Conference Call on Thursday, February 29 at 10 a.m. ET • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 02/22/2024 09:05:00 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/01/2024 04:01:36 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/01/2024 04:01:14 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/01/2024 04:00:51 PM
- Lightbridge Announces Upcoming Industry Event and Media Interview • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 01/22/2024 12:00:00 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 12/28/2023 03:45:46 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 12/28/2023 03:45:13 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 12/28/2023 03:44:40 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 12/19/2023 10:00:31 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 12/19/2023 10:00:23 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 12/19/2023 10:00:22 PM
- Form 8-K - Current report • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 12/07/2023 01:00:34 PM
- Lightbridge and Centrus Energy Enter into a Contract to Conduct a FEED Study for a Lightbridge Pilot Fuel Fabrication Facility in Piketon, Ohio • PR Newswire (US) • 12/07/2023 11:30:00 AM
FEATURED NanoViricides Reports that the Phase I NV-387 Clinical Trial is Completed Successfully and Data Lock is Expected Soon • May 2, 2024 10:07 AM
ILUS Files Form 10-K and Provides Shareholder Update • ILUS • May 2, 2024 8:52 AM
Avant Technologies Names New CEO Following Acquisition of Healthcare Technology and Data Integration Firm • AVAI • May 2, 2024 8:00 AM
Bantec Engaged in a Letter of Intent to Acquire a Small New Jersey Based Manufacturing Company • BANT • May 1, 2024 10:00 AM
Cannabix Technologies to Deliver Breath Logix Alcohol Screening Device to Australia • BLO • Apr 30, 2024 8:53 AM
Hydromer, Inc. Reports Preliminary Unaudited Financial Results for First Quarter 2024 • HYDI • Apr 29, 2024 9:10 AM