Case studies

The silver lining of fuel recycle

Through proactivity, pivoting and partnership, AFCP’s Advanced Solvent and Effluent Treatment project went for silver but struck gold. Luke O’Brien, Laboratory Fellow at National Nuclear Laboratory and Technical Lead on the project, discusses the team’s new technology for recycling used fuels more sustainably.

Criticality cooldown: Transporting the fuel of the future

INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS | NNL | NUCLEAR DATA | PEOPLE AND SKILLS

Through modelling and prediction, AFCP’s Nuclear Data project is enhancing international understanding of future fuels. Alfie O’Neill, Criticality Safety Consultant at the National Nuclear Laboratory, details how international collaboration has created cool results for future transport.

Cleaning up our act: Materialising new ideas for a better planet

INNOVATION | NNL | SOLVENT AND EFFLUENT TREATMENT | UNIVERSITIES AND ACADEMIA

As the need for nuclear energy expands to meet Net Zero, so does the need to manage stored nuclear materials. However, this also raises an opportunity to do things differently. AFCP’s Advanced Solvent and Effluent Treatment team is exploring novel decontamination materials that are both sustainably sourced and industry optimised. Antony Nearchou, Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham, discusses how sharing strengths has enabled this impactful innovation.

Creative collaborations from afar

ENGAGEMENT | NNL | PYRO-PROCESSING | UNIVERSITIES AND ACADEMIA

Cross-country research raises many challenges, all of which have been amplified through COVID-19. However, through ongoing engagement and sharing of strengths, AFCP’s pyro-processing teams at NNL, the University of Manchester and University of Edinburgh found a silver lining. Colin Clarke, Senior Research Technologist at NNL, comments.

Maintaining excellence at the NFCE

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY FUELS | NUCLEAR FUEL CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE | UNIVERSITIES AND ACADEMIA | WORLD-CLASS FACILITIES

The Nuclear Fuel Centre of Excellence (NFCE) unifies top UK talent to resolve national clean energy security and establish a high-value nuclear economy. Rob Harrison, Research Fellow at the University of Manchester, explains how AFCP is strengthening the NFCE framework through skill retention, infrastructure investment and supply chain collaboration.

Turning up the heat to modernise facilities

NNL | PYRO WASTE | PYRO-PROCESSING | WORLD-CLASS FACILITIES

Pyro-processing and processing of pyro waste are key to ensure the UK is best equipped to deliver a sustainable fuel cycle of the future. AFCP infrastructure investment is modernising and expanding pyro lab ability at the National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL), which Senior Technology Manager and Pyro Waste Technical Lead Mike Harrison sees as an essential enabler to our two pyro projects.

Linking multidisciplinary talent across national labs

A UNITED MISSION | ENGAGEMENT | NATIONAL NUCLEAR USER FACILITY | NUCLEAR DATA | WORLD-CLASS FACILITIES

With scientific skills and unique facilities that will underpin the UK’s clean energy transition, Britain’s world-class national laboratories are working together through AFCP. Andy Duncan, Account Manager at the National Physical Laboratory, details the joint ambition across national labs to continue innovation into 2050 and beyond.

Connecting national laboratories to enable innovative energy research

A UNITED MISSION | ENGAGEMENT | NNL | NUCLEAR DATA | WORLD-CLASS FACILITIES

Collaborating across the UK’s national laboratory network, the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is leveraging key infrastructure to support AFCP. Patrick Regan, Professor of Nuclear Metrology and NPL Fellow, shares how working with NNL unites cross-UK scientific expertise.

Quality investment for improved iodine understanding

NNL | OFF-GAS CAPTURE | WORLD-CLASS FACILITIES

AFCP’s Off-gas Capture project is key to ensure that environmental protection remains at the centre of future fuel deployment. Infrastructure investment at NNL and the University of Leeds is ensuring that the UK maintains the right skills and facilities to address the off-gas iodine challenge.

Securing time at the neutron time-of-flight facility

INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS | NUCLEAR DATA | UNIVERSITIES AND ACADEMIA | WORLD-CLASS FACILITIES

The University of Manchester’s involvement with the CERN neutron time-of-flight (n_TOF) facility is lending key nuclear data insight to AFCP. Toby Wright, PDRA at the University of Manchester, explains how increased involvement with the facility is expanding UK physics expertise.

Taking TRISO fuel to the next level

As the world-leading centre for advanced materials research and commercialisation, the Henry Royce Institute provides integral insight for UK advanced nuclear deployment. Joel Turner, Dalton Nuclear Fellow at the University of Manchester, explains how AFCP infrastructure investment complements the institute’s ultramodern facilities to help steer the direction of domestic fuel manufacture.

Collaboration is at the root of success

AFCP is connecting expertise across the nation. Paul Bingham, Professor of Glasses and Ceramics at Sheffield Hallam University, summarises how collaboration with NNL and the University of Sheffield is enabling the university to grow their current capabilities.

Accelerating technology scale-up to address emerging energy needs

INNOVATION | NNL | SOLVENT AND EFFLUENT TREATMENT | SUPPLY CHAIN AND ECONOMY | WORLD-CLASS FACILITIES

Through AFCP, SME C-Tech Innovation has partnered with the National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) to develop advanced decontamination methods for existing infrastructure. C-Tech Innovation Technical Director Rob Bell illustrates how in supporting supply chain innovation, this work is ensuring that UK technology remains at the cutting edge of safety and design considerations.

Supporting innovative nuclear newcomers

FAST REACTOR FUELS | INNOVATION | NNL | SUPPLY CHAIN AND ECONOMY

AFCP is connecting clean energy innovators across the UK to unlock new opportunities. SME Lucideon is translating its novel flash sintering technology to the nuclear sector. Business Manager Tim Abbott explores how Lucideon’s innovation is expanding fuel manufacture capability in the UK.

Reviving sustainable solutions for long-term success

Net Zero is mobilising businesses to centre sustainability at the forefront of advanced fuel concepts. Sebastian Lawson, Research Manager at SME GeoRoc Ltd, explains how the company is developing innovative treatment solutions to ensure the future fuel cycle remains environmentally conscious.

Offering opportunity for the future fuel cycle workforce

PEOPLE AND SKILLS | SUPPLY CHAIN AND ECONOMY

AFCP is positioning partners across the UK to influence national nuclear ambition. David Hughes, Head of Advisory at DBD, summarises the impact AFCP collaboration is having on future-proofing his company’s talent pool and work opportunity.

Informing UK development through trusted expertise

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY FUELS | ENGAGEMENT | NATIONAL NUCLEAR USER FACILITY | PEOPLE AND SKILLS | SUPPLY CHAIN AND ECONOMY

At Jacobs, AFCP is securing employee development while safeguarding the deployment of future reactors. Aidan Cole-Baker, Managing Consultant for Materials Science at Jacobs, shares how the programme is accelerating the organisation’s clean energy ambition.

Securing SME space in future markets

Through close collaboration with NNL and Westinghouse, SME Teer Coatings Ltd is developing novel coating machinery to support future fuel concepts. Wayne Southall, Sales Director at Teer Coatings, explains how AFCP is enabling his organisation to overcome design challenges and pioneer new UK capability and reach new and future markets.