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Texas A&M welcomes uranium conversion research
The Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) has signed a research agreement with Quantum Leap Energy (QLE) “to advance and de-risk the commercial production of high-purity uranium hexafluoride (UF6).”
QLE is an Austin, Texas–based subsidiary of ASP Isotopes (ASPI), which is developing an isotope enrichment platform for applications in nuclear energy, nuclear medicine, and semiconductors. QLE specializes in the uranium conversion step of the nuclear fuel cycle—the conversion of yellowcake uranium concentrate (U3O8) into UF6 prior to enrichment.
Felix Ameyaw, Joshua Gbinu, Rex Abrefah
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 200 | Number 9 | September 2026 | Pages 2152-2169
Research Article | doi.org/10.1080/00295639.2025.2561324
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Passive heat removal systems (PHRSs) in liquid metal fast cooled reactors (LMFCRs) are critical to ensuring inherent safety by enabling decay heat removal without external power or operator intervention. This study presents a comprehensive aging and reliability assessment of PHRS components, integrating empirical degradation data, advanced nondestructive testing (NDT) techniques, and probabilistic modeling using Weibull and Arrhenius frameworks coupled with Monte Carlo simulations. Results indicate that decay heat exchangers (DHXs) exhibit accelerated degradation, with failure probabilities exceeding 10% after 30 years and surpassing 50% by year 40 in the absence of proactive intervention. Comparative analysis shows air chimneys maintain > 85% reliability over the same period, while sodium piping loops decline to ~70% by year 30, driven by corrosion and fatigue. NDT methods, i.e. ultrasonic testing, acoustic emission, and infrared thermography, proved effective in early detection of microstructural defects, informing optimized inspection intervals. Strategic recommendations include corrosion-resistant alloys, modular designs, structural health monitoring, and risk-informed maintenance scheduling. Contextualized for Ghana’s nuclear roadmap under the International Atomic Energy Agency Milestones Approach, this work offers a predictive, data-driven framework for aging management, aligning with international safety standards and ensuring sustained PHRS performance over multidecade reactor lifespans.