Converting UNF Radioisotope Inventories into Energy Workshop

July 27th-28th, 2021

The Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) hosted a virtual workshop from noon to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 27, and Wednesday, July 28. The objective of the workshop was to solicit stakeholder feedback and ideas about the scope and metrics of a potential new R&D program focused on economically and securely recycling the nation’s existing commercial used nuclear fuel. The workshop agenda featured speakers from within and outside the nuclear industry, several interactive breakout sessions, and a Gatherly networking session.

Day 1: Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Time (EDT)

Topic

Speaker/Presenter

11:50 PM

Open for Joining

 

12:00 PM

Welcome and Introduction to ARPA-E

Jenny Gerbi (ARPA-E)

12:10 PM

Workshop Logistics/Housekeeping

Nancy Hicks (ARPA-E)

12:15 PM

Program Motivation/Objectives/Agenda/Proposed Program Scope

Jen Shafer (ARPA-E)

12:40 PM

Overview of Goals for Day 1/ARPA-E Assessment of Reprocessing Cost Drivers

Harry Andreades (ARPA-E)

1:05 PM

Break

 

1:15 PM

Fireside Chat: Industrial Reprocessing Experience

Participants: Andy Worrall (ORNL) and Gerald Senentz (Orano)

 

Moderator: Jen Shafer

1:45 PM

Process Intensification & Modularity

Ignasi Palou-Rivera (RAPID Institute)

2:10 PM

Break

 

2:20 PM

Advances in Additive Manufacturing

Ben Betzler (ORNL)

2:45 PM

Digital Twins/Automation

Chris Ritter (INL)
Gus Reyes (INL)

3:10 PM

Reprocessing Today: What Does NRC Have to Say?

Jonathan Marcano (NRC)

Wendy Reed (NRC)

3:35 PM

Break

 

Day 1 Breakout Sessions – Cost and Regulatory Considerations for Reprocessing Facilities

3:45 PM

Session A: Out with the New, in with the Old? Cost and Regulatory Implications of Reprocessing Old (>30 Years) vs New Fuel

All

 

Session B: Right Sizing a Reprocessing Facility

All

 

Session C: Reducing Reprocessing Facility CapEx and OpEx Costs via Enabling Technologies

All

 

Session D: Innovating Reprocessing via Process Intensification

All

5:00 PM

Adjourn and Enter Gatherly Networking Event

All

6:30 PM

End of Workshop Day 1

 


Day 2: Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Time (EDT)

Topic

Speaker/Presenter

11:50 AM

Open for Joining

 

12:00 PM

Readout from Day 1

Jen Shafer (ARPA-E)

12:10 PM

Goals for Day 2 | ARPA-E Assessment of Technical Opportunities (Including Hybrid Technologies and Safeguards)

Christina Leggett (ARPA-E)

12:35 PM

Safeguards by Design for Reprocessing Facilities

Mike Browne (LANL)

1:00 PM

Break

 

1:10 PM

Head-End and Off-Gas Processing

Stephanie Bruffey (ORNL)

1:35 PM

Innovative Opportunities for Pyroprocessing

Guy Fredrickson (INL)

2:00 PM

Break

 

2:10 PM

Innovative Opportunities for Aqueous Separations

Gregg Lumetta (PNNL)

2:35 PM

Innovative Opportunities for Fluoride Volatility

Jason Richards (ORNL)

3:00 PM

Reprocessing Waste Management 

John Vienna (PNNL)

3:25 PM

Break

 

Day 2 Breakout Sessions – Safeguards and Technical Considerations for Reprocessing Facilities

3:35 PM

Session A: Getting Across the Finish Line: R&D Gaps in Current Separations Technologies

All

 

Session B: Enabling Enhanced Safeguards by Design

All

 

Session C: Hybrid and Next-Generation Reprocessing Technologies

All

 

Session D: What about the Waste?

All

4:50 PM

Closeout/Quick Recap

Jen Shafer

5:00 PM

End of Workshop

 


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