X-energy and the Xe-100

Transcription

1 X-energy and the Xe-100 N I C/ETEC Nuclear Supplier Workshop Dr. Pete Pa ppano, Vice President Fuel Production September 7, 2017

2 Reimagining Nuclear Energy X-energy is reimagining nuclear s role in solving tomorrow s energy challenges Founded in 2009 by Dr. Kam Ghaffarian to address the world s most serious energy challenges and make a lasting contribution to clean energy technology in the U.S. and around the world Leverages expertise from SGT, Inc. 2 nd largest engineering services contractor to NASA. He is also leading several other high-technology companies: Axiom Space and Intuitive Machines Private Funding of ~$34M committed through 2017 to X- energy Dr. Kam Ghaffarian Founder/CEO I began X-energy because the world needs energy solutions that are clean, safe, secure, and affordable. With so much at stake, we cannot continue down the same path. - Dr. Kam Ghaffarian, Founder & CEO 2

3 X-energy: Providing the U.S. a Secure Future X-energy is focused on becoming the world leader in HTGR technology both reactors and the fuel to power them Developing an innovative advanced nuclear energy solution, the Xe-100 a modular, pebble-bed, High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor (HTGR) Developing facility to generate proliferation-resistant uranium fuel for our reactors and other TRISO-based fuel needs X-energy intends to maximize use of U.S. sources for major reactor systems and fuel supply chain Advanced reactors will play a key role in U.S. leadership in nuclear energy 3

4 HTGR Pebble Bed Reactor Technology The Xe-100 reactor uses TRISO coated particle fuel, embedded in graphite spherical fuel elements (pebbles) leveraging $400M investment by DOE Power: 200 MWth/76MWe helium-cooled module (up to eight modules per plant) Reactor Output: 565 C high pressure steam provides both electricity generation and process heat for industrial applications Fuel: 15.5% enriched uranium utilizing uranium oxycarbide (UCO) Reactor Construction: Modular, road transportable to reach remote locations to maximize siting flexibility 1mm TRISO particle w/ UCO kernel ~19,000 TRISO coated particles in each pebble ~220,000 pebbles in the core 4

5 Xe-100 Plant Layout Layout not to scale Illustrative Xe Pack Plant Secure: underground reactor layout possible Scalable: allows for sequential reactor build-out based on power demand Small: can be built on 13 acres of land and allows for grid independence Safe: small EPZ (160 acres, or just 0.25 sq miles) allows for building close to existing infrastructure 2017 X Energy, LLC, all rights reserved Nuclear Energy. Reimagined. 5

6 X-energy Enterprise Schedule 2017 X Energy LLC Nuclear Energy. Reimagined. 6

7 U.S. Department of Energy Partnership DOE Cooperative Agreement X-energy began activities July 1, 2016 on a 5-year, $53M cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy focused on: Furthering the Xe-100 reactor design Establishing pebble fuel manufacturing capability NRC engagement First pebbles produced by Xe team located at ORNL Prototype mold and first pebble Major accomplishments Fabricated kernels, TRISO particles, and the first Xe pebble Established advanced fuel characterization techniques Developed structural graphite TRL and operating envelope Developed probabilistic risk assessment fault tree Completed two white papers on regulatory issues Developed unique mechanistic source term codes Implemented a plant level engineering analysis toolset software package 7

8 World-Class Partners Towards Deployment DOE Cooperative Agreement Teammates X-energy Industrial Partners 2017 X Energy, LLC, all rights reserved Nuclear Energy. Reimagined. 8

9 ORNL Support to X-energy TRISO fuel fabrication, characterization, testing, and qualification Improved nuclear fuel pebble fabrication method development for commercial manufacturing Development of novel pebble characterization techniques NRC White Paper support Structural graphite irradiation and PIE Establish pilot-scale fuel manufacturing capability in Oak Ridge Develop NQA-1 processes and procedures UCO Kernel Cross-Section of pebble TRISO particle Installed Particle Overcoater at ORNL Graphite Block 2017 X Energy, LLC, all rights reserved Nuclear Energy. Reimagined. 9

10 X-energy Centrus Strategic Partnership X-energy and Centrus have signed an MOU to define our partnership toward TRISO fuel fabrication and commercial production in the Oak Ridge region 10

11 Contact Information X Energy, LLC 7701 Greenbelt Road, Suite 320 Greenbelt, MD Phone: X Energy, LLC, all rights reserved Nuclear Energy. Reimagined. 11