Idaho National Laboratory has confirmed the first delivery of tri-structural isotropic, or TRISO, particle fuel at its Transient Reactor Test Facility, marking a milestone in the development of a mobile microreactor for the Department of War under Project Pele.
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What Is TRISO?
TRISO, an advanced nuclear fuel, is produced from uranium, carbon and oxygen formed into a small kernel coated in multiple layers, creating a structure able to withstand high heat, radiation and corrosive environments, INL said Tuesday. Thousands of kernels, each the size of a poppy seed, are combined into compact fuel forms intended to power nuclear reactors.
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BWX Technologies, which secured a Pentagon contract in 2020 to support Project Pele, manufactured the fuel from its facilities in Lynchburg, Virginia.
“This is real nuclear microreactor fuel delivered at its final destination, rather than some letter or memorandum promising to make fuel at a later date,” noted Jeff Waksman, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Army for installations, energy and environment.
“When it comes to fuel fabrication, to reactor design, engineering and manufacturing, BWXT continues to lead because we are not only performing that work day-in and day-out for our customers, but we are also delivering,” added Joe Miller, president for government operations at BWXT.
How Will Project Pele Support War Department Missions?
Project Pele aims to construct a 1.5-megawatt transportable power system to supply the energy needs of the U.S. military. The reactor is designed to fit into four standard-sized shipping containers to be easily transportable.
BWXT is currently building the Pele prototype, which INL is expected to begin testing by early 2027. The Department of Energy, the U.S. Army and the War Department’s Strategic Capabilities Office are partnering on the project.
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