23 May (NucNet): An Australia-based research and development company has signed an exclusive agreement with General Electric (GE) that could lead to the construction of a full-scale, third-generation commercial uranium enrichment facility based on laser technology.
Silex Systems said the agreement is for a “phased approach” to the commercialisation of its Silex (separation of isotopes by laser excitation) technology, which it says is the only third-generation laser-based uranium enrichment process under development.
The agreement, which is subject to government approvals, includes the potential construction of a test loop, pilot plant, and a full-scale commercial enrichment facility. These operations would be built at GE’s nuclear energy headquarters in North Carolina, or another suitable location in the US.
Silex chief executive officer Michael Goldsworthy called the agreement “a defining moment” for Silex. He said while Silex had developed the technology concept, GE has the required technological and commercial capabilities to “take it to the next level and beyond”.
Andy White, president and chief executive officer of GE’s nuclear business, said by acquiring exclusive rights to complete the development and commercial deployment of Silex’s enrichment technology, GE will be in a strong position to support anticipated demands for enriched uranium.
GE is one of the largest industrial companies in the world, with a market capitalisation of 350 billion US dollars (USD) (273 billion euros). Through its nuclear business unit, GE is a leading supplier of nuclear power plants, and related engineering and fuel services.
In addition to funding the technology development programme, GE will make payments to Silex including USD 15 million upon successful completion of the test loop programme and USD 20 million upon successful completion of the lead cascade programme.
Silex said in a statement that the global uranium enrichment market is worth approximately USD 5 billion a year and growing. The company said all of today’s enrichment supply is provided by first generation gas diffusion and second generation gas centrifuge. “We anticipate that with the high efficiency afforded by laser technology, the Silex process could be significantly more cost-effective.”
US enrichment company USEC provided funds for the development of Silex technology, but withdrew from the partnership in 2003 to concentrate on developing centrifuge enrichment technology. USEC is demonstrating the technology at test facilities in Tennessee. The company expects to begin construction of a commercial centrifuge plant in Ohio in 2007.
