Project PUCK (Performance validation of the Universal Canister System for Kairos Power)

Policymakers around the world recognize that nuclear energy ľ safe, stable, always available ľ is central to delivering a carbon-free energy market. The world nuclear capacity is expected to more than double between 2020 and 2050 in order to achieve net-zero carbon emissions across the global energy sector by 2050. While nuclear power genera􀆟on has no direct carbon emissions, hazardous waste is produced as a byproduct that can be detrimental to the environment and human health for thousands of years. A viable solu􀆟on across transporta􀆟on, storage, and disposal of nuclear waste is essen􀆟al for the long-term growth of nuclear power in the country and throughout the world. The goal of this project is to validate the triple func􀆟onality of an already exis􀆟ng advanced canister design with a specific, commercially viable advanced reactor fuel form ľ tri-structural isotropic par􀆟cle fuel. By tes􀆟ng this canister design with this prominent advanced reactor fuel form, this canister design will be developed to the point of commercializa􀆟on for the interim storage, transporta􀆟on, and disposal of this advanced fuel form. Adop􀆟on of this technology in the advanced reactor commercial market will pave the way for an integrated waste management system. The overall project approach is to perform technical data analysis and valida􀆟on cross-coordinated via a common project management pla􀆞orm. During this phase, a specific tri-structural isotropic par􀆟cle fuel from a pre-selected commercial vendor will undergo the following tes􀆟ng: (1) Waste Form Compa􀆟bility Analysis, (2) Long-term Safety Tes􀆟ng, (3) Gap Analysis on Canister Design, (4) Economic Modeling and Cost Comparison Analysis, and (5) Phase II Scope Development. These various work efforts will validate if this canister design is in fact compa􀆟ble with exis􀆟ng commercial advanced reactor fuel and whether are any modifica􀆟ons that need to be made. If this project is accepted for Phase II work, the follow-on applica􀆟ons would include: (1) development of an integrated waste disposal plan for the pre-selected vendorĺs spent fuel, and (2) demonstra􀆟on of canister compa􀆟bility with a surrogate waste form, and (3) development of a refined commercial and technology to market plan for the emerging tri-structural isotropic par􀆟cle fuel market. The public benefits are far-reaching ľ greater na􀆟onal energy security, greater employment opportuni􀆟es in the manufacturing industry, and a cleaner, environmentally sustainable energy solu􀆟on.