EPRI's Patented Nuclear Fuel Cleaning Technology Receives R&D 100 Award; Award Reception Slated for Oct. 20.PALO ALTO Palo Alto, city, California Palo Alto (păl`ō ăl`tō), city (1990 pop. 55,900), Santa Clara co., W Calif.; inc. 1894. Although primarily residential, Palo Alto has aerospace, electronics, and advanced research industries. , Calif. -- The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI EPRI Electric Power Research Institute EPRI European Parliaments Research Initiatives ), three member companies, AmerenUE, Exelon Corp., and South Texas Project Nuclear Operating Co., and Dominion Engineering, Inc. (DEI) have earned a prestigious 2005 R&D 100 Award for ultrasonic cleaning Ultrasonic cleaners, sometimes mistakenly called supersonic cleaners, are cleaning devices that use ultrasound (usually from 15-400 kHz) to clean delicate items. of nuclear fuel, a promising new technology that safely removes deposits from irradiated fuel assemblies in nuclear power plants. The annual awards are given by R&D Magazine for the most outstanding technology developments with commercial potential. The award reception will take place Thursday, Oct. 20 in Chicago; EPRI Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Ted Marston is scheduled to attend. "The future of the energy industry relies on pursuing innovative technologies that advance efficient, reliable and environmentally sensitive power generation and transmission," said EPRI CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. Steven R. Specker. "I applaud our team and member companies for their contribution towards this end." The technology awarded delivers a patented process for removing corrosion products deposited on irradiated nuclear fuel pins using a unique form of ultrasonic technology. The technology was first applied at their nuclear power plants by the three EPRI member companies noted above, using equipment supplied by DEI. "We were pleased to hear that our technology received an R&D Award," said Christopher J. Wood, a technical manager in EPRI's Nuclear Sector. "This breakthrough technology allows the full potential of current nuclear fuel designs to be achieved while maintaining excellent fuel reliability. Availability of a safe, reliable cleaning technology will also now allow utilities to further optimize fuel performance, core design, and reduce radiation fields and electricity generating costs." This unique technology, developed in EPRI's Fuel Reliability Program, solves a significant emerging problem by removing deposits from nuclear fuel assemblies in nuclear power plants. Enhancing the performance of nuclear fuel is crucial to continue the improvement in electricity production from nuclear units. Over the past decade, nuclear power production has increased by over 20 percent, but this has placed additional demands on the fuel, as fuel temperatures have increased. Some of the potential problems with fuel reliability result from the buildup build·up also build-up n. 1. The act or process of amassing or increasing: a military buildup; a buildup of tension during the strike. 2. of deposits on the surfaces of the fuel elements, which produces an insulating layer that could result in corrosion of the fuel cladding The plastic or glass sheath that is fused to and surrounds the core of an optical fiber. The cladding's mirror-like coating keeps the light waves reflected inside the core. The cladding is covered with a protective outer jacket. See fiber optics glossary. material at increased fuel pin temperatures. Until EPRI's developed technology, there was no effective way of removing these deposits during the working life of the fuel. Including early development demonstrations, this ultrasonic fuel cleaning technology has been used successfully eight times at nuclear power plants in the USA through 2004, and has been licensed worldwide. Seven additional commercial applications have taken place in 2005, including one in Spain. The technology used cleans all the fuel elements in every fuel assembly without any adverse effects. The cleaning process does not extend the schedule of routine refueling outages and is very cost-effective in pressurized water reactors Noun 1. pressurized water reactor - a nuclear reactor that uses water as a coolant and moderator; the steam produced can drive a steam turbine PWR water-cooled reactor - nuclear reactor using water as a coolant . It is expected to result in a major reduction in radiation fields in boiling water reactors Noun 1. boiling water reactor - a nuclear reactor that uses water as a coolant and moderator; the water boils in the reactor core and the steam produced can drive a steam turbine BWR water-cooled reactor - nuclear reactor using water as a coolant . About the Electric Power Research Institute The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), with major locations in Palo Alto, California “Palo Alto” redirects here. For other uses, see Palo Alto (disambiguation). Palo Alto (IPA: /ˌpæloʊˈʔæltoʊ/, from Spanish: palo: "stick" and alto: "high", i.e. , and Charlotte, North Carolina “Charlotte” redirects here. For other uses, see Charlotte (disambiguation). Charlotte is the largest city in the state of North Carolina and the 20th largest city in the United States. , was established in 1973 as an independent, nonprofit center for public interest energy and environmental research. EPRI brings together member organizations, the Institute's scientists and engineers, and other leading experts to work collaboratively on solutions to the challenges of electric power. These solutions span nearly every area of power generation, delivery, and use, including health, safety, and environment. EPRI's members represent over 90% of the electricity generated in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. . International participation represents nearly 15% of EPRI's total R&D program. |
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