Development of a US-Based UNF Recycling Pilot Facility and Nonproliferation Implications

The ANS Nuclear Nonproliferation Policy Division invites you to a special members-only event on the development of a US-based UNF recycling pilot facility featuring SHINE Technologies Chief Technology Officer Ross Radel on this new initiative.

SHINE Technologies, LLC (SHINE) is a nuclear technology company based in southern Wisconsin. Much of their current focus is on medical isotope production, but they have begun to leverage that expertise to investigate used nuclear fuel (UNF) recycling. Notably, SHINE has designed, built, licensed, and is in the process of installing process equipment within a 10 CFR Part 50 licensed facility, wherein aqueous uranyl sulfate will be irradiated and then harvested for short-lived fission products such as Mo-99.

Leveraging this experience, SHINE is leading a venture to address the nation’s UNF disposal challenge by developing a facility that incorporates a game-changing set of interlinked technologies that reduce the environmental and economic impact of nuclear energy generation via recycling and, ultimately, transmutation of UNF. This approach will reduce the longevity and long-term radiotoxicity of high-level waste, will improve reprocessing economics via value-added isotope extraction, and will advance technologies to enable fusion energy generation. SHINE is leveraging design, construction, and operational experience gained from commercializing its medical isotope production facility to design an end-to-end UNF processing, recycling, and transmutation system.

This event will provide background on SHINE’s proposed technical processes for UNF recycling and isotope recovery and discuss the regulatory, statutory, and non-proliferation implications for constructing and operating such a facility in the U.S.