Oak Ridge National Laboratory Develops ULIMES Fuel to Enhance Light Water Reactor Efficiency
Oak Ridge National Laboratory has introduced the ULIMES fuel concept, utilizing uranium dioxide particles suspended in liquid metal to improve light water reactor (LWR) efficiency. This innovative fuel design enhances cooling and energy extraction, leading to better reactor performance and safety. ORNL has partnered with Out The Back Ventures to fund further research, aiming to transition ULIMES from concept to commercial viability while maintaining compatibility with existing LWR materials.
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Oak Ridge National Laboratory has developed the ULIMES fuel concept, which uses uranium dioxide particles suspended in liquid metal to enhance the efficiency of light water reactors (LWRs). This design allows for improved cooling and energy extraction, reducing the need for complex safety systems and maintenance costs.
ORNL has signed a research licence agreement with Out The Back Ventures, which will fund the transition of ULIMES toward commercial viability. The fuel's compatibility with existing materials facilitates its integration into current reactor designs. Initial experiments indicate that candidate liquid metals do not significantly corrode Zircaloy-4 cladding, making ULIMES suitable for both large nuclear power plants and small modular reactors.
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