Ampera and Lawrence Livermore partner on advanced nuclear fuel for maritime use
Nuclear technology company Ampera has partnered with US national research laboratory Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to develop advanced nuclear fuel that could eventually be used in nuclear power systems, including maritime applications.
IMAGE: Thorium TRISO fuel cross-section representation. Ampera
The collaboration aims to develop a cost-effective and scalable way to manufacture advanced Tri-Structural Isotropic (TRISO) fuel, supporting Ampera’s plans to build a secure domestic supply chain for advanced nuclear fuel.
TRISO fuel is a nuclear fuel made of tiny fuel particles encased in multiple layers of protective ceramic material, designed to withstand very high temperatures.
A key focus will be liquid-metal jetting technology, which uses molten-metal to produce highly uniform, spherical thorium-232 kernels for TRISO fuel.
Ampera has already built a prototype particle-production system based on this technology. The project will now involve computer modelling and detailed testing of the fuel particles. It will also cover safe handling of radioactive materials and the development of production methods that can eventually be scaled up for commercial use in shipping and other sectors.
The work supports Ampera’s longer-term plan to develop advanced fuel for subcritical nuclear power platforms. The company claims its compact, factory-built systems could operate for up to 30 years without refuelling.
In April, Monaco-based shipping firm Scorpio Tankers partnered with Ampera to develop floating nuclear-powered barges in the near term and nuclear-powered vessels over the longer term.
By Tuhin Roy
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