BWX Technologies Signs Multiyear TRISO Fuel Agreement With Antares

BWX Technologies announced Oct. 27 a multiyear agreement to manufacture tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) fuel for Antares Nuclear’s Mark-1 reactor, which the company plans to power in 2027.

The deal includes an initial allocation of one metric ton of uranium (1 MTU), which may increase as Antares’ deployment needs evolve. Future task orders will set quantities, delivery schedules and technical requirements.

BWXT Advanced Fuels, a subsidiary of BWX Technologies, will make the fuel in Lynchburg, Virginia. The production line has also been used for Project Pele and Antares’ Mark-0 reactor.

TRISO fuel has uranium kernels surrounded by carbon and ceramic layers designed to contain fission products at high temperatures. The fuel is made from high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU).

The BWX Technologies agreement is Antares’ second TRISO fuel fabrication deal, following one with Standard Nuclear. Together, the agreements give Antares two qualified fuel sources for reactor deployments. Antares CEO and co-founder Jordan Bramble said, “It’s what will power our electricity producing reactor, Mark-1, in 2027.”