Independent Modeling Studies from MIT and SIA and Results from Previous Testing Presented at TopFuel 2024 Conference Further Validate that Lightbridge Fuel™ has Safety Advantages Over Current Nuclear Fuel
Lightbridge (Nasdaq: LTBR) presented three technical papers at TopFuel 2024 Conference validating the enhanced safety and performance of Lightbridge Fuel™. Studies by MIT and SIA, along with Lightbridge's own research, demonstrate significant advantages over conventional nuclear fuel. The MIT study shows the fuel operates at lower temperatures with 35% larger heat transfer area, while SIA's research confirms better safety performance during accident conditions. Previous testing revealed the fuel maintained structural integrity after 24 hours in dryout conditions, where conventional fuel would have degraded. The company is preparing for in-reactor testing at Idaho National Laboratory's Advanced Test Reactor.
Lightbridge (Nasdaq: LTBR) ha presentato tre articoli tecnici alla conferenza TopFuel 2024, validando la maggiore sicurezza e performance del Lightbridge Fuel™. Gli studi del MIT e della SIA, insieme alla propria ricerca di Lightbridge, dimostrano vantaggi significativi rispetto al combustibile nucleare convenzionale. Lo studio del MIT mostra che il combustibile opera a temperature inferiori con un'area di trasferimento di calore superiore del 35%, mentre la ricerca della SIA conferma migliori prestazioni di sicurezza durante le condizioni di incidente. I test precedenti hanno rivelato che il combustibile ha mantenuto l'integrità strutturale dopo 24 ore in condizioni di asciugatura, dove il combustibile convenzionale si sarebbe degradato. L'azienda si sta preparando per i test in reattore presso l'Advanced Test Reactor dell'Idaho National Laboratory.
Lightbridge (Nasdaq: LTBR) presentó tres documentos técnicos en la Conferencia TopFuel 2024, validando la mayor seguridad y rendimiento del Lightbridge Fuel™. Estudios del MIT y de la SIA, junto con la propia investigación de Lightbridge, demuestran ventajas significativas sobre el combustible nuclear convencional. El estudio del MIT muestra que el combustible opera a temperaturas más bajas con un área de transferencia de calor un 35% mayor, mientras que la investigación de la SIA confirma un mejor rendimiento en situaciones de accidente. Pruebas anteriores revelaron que el combustible mantuvo su integridad estructural después de 24 horas en condiciones de secado, donde el combustible convencional se habría degradado. La empresa se está preparando para pruebas en el reactor en el Advanced Test Reactor del Laboratorio Nacional de Idaho.
Lightbridge (Nasdaq: LTBR)는 TopFuel 2024 회의에서 Lightbridge Fuel™의 향상된 안전성과 성능을 검증하는 세 개의 기술 논문을 발표했습니다. MIT와 SIA의 연구와 Lightbridge의 자체 연구에 따르면 기존의 핵연료에 비해 상당한 장점이 있는 것으로 나타났습니다. MIT 연구에서는 연료가 더 낮은 온도에서 작동하며 열 전달 면적이 35% 더 크다고 보고합니다. SIA의 연구는 사고 조건에서 더 나은 안전 성능을 подтверд합니다. 이전 테스트에서 연료는 건조 상태에서 24시간 후에도 구조적 무결성을 유지한 반면, 기존 연료는 열화되었습니다. 회사는 아이다호 국립 연구소의 첨단 테스트 리액터에서 시험 준비를 하고 있습니다.
Lightbridge (Nasdaq: LTBR) a présenté trois articles techniques lors de la conférence TopFuel 2024, validant la sécurité et la performance améliorées du Lightbridge Fuel™. Les études du MIT et de la SIA, ainsi que les recherches propres à Lightbridge, démontrent des avantages significatifs par rapport au combustible nucléaire conventionnel. L'étude du MIT montre que le combustible fonctionne à des températures plus basses avec une superficie d'échange de chaleur 35 % plus grande, tandis que la recherche de la SIA confirme de meilleures performances en matière de sécurité en cas d'accident. Des tests précédents ont révélé que le combustible maintenait son intégrité structurelle après 24 heures dans des conditions de dessèchement, où le combustible conventionnel se serait dégradé. L'entreprise se prépare à des tests en réacteur à l'Advanced Test Reactor du laboratoire national de l'Idaho.
Lightbridge (Nasdaq: LTBR) hat auf der TopFuel 2024-Konferenz drei technische Arbeiten präsentiert, die die verbesserte Sicherheit und Leistung des Lightbridge Fuel™ validieren. Studien des MIT und der SIA sowie eigene Forschungen von Lightbridge zeigen erhebliche Vorteile gegenüber herkömmlichem Kernbrennstoff. Die MIT-Studie zeigt, dass der Brennstoff bei niedrigeren Temperaturen mit einer um 35 % größeren Wärmeübertragungsfläche arbeitet, während die Forschung der SIA eine bessere Sicherheitsleistung unter Unfallbedingungen bestätigt. Frühere Tests haben gezeigt, dass der Brennstoff seine strukturelle Integrität nach 24 Stunden unter Trockenbedingungen beibehielt, während herkömmlicher Brennstoff sich verschlechtert hätte. Das Unternehmen bereitet sich auf Tests im Reaktor am Advanced Test Reactor des Idaho National Laboratory vor.
- MIT study confirms 35% larger heat transfer area improving heat removal efficiency
- Lower operating temperatures and improved safety margins enabling power uprates
- Demonstrated superior performance in accident conditions with lower peak cladding temperatures
- Maintained structural integrity during 24-hour dryout test where conventional fuel would fail
- Reduced CRUD formation potential and lower irradiation-induced swelling
- None.
Insights
The independent validation from MIT and SIA significantly strengthens Lightbridge Fuel's technical credibility. The 35% larger heat transfer area and lower operating temperatures represent substantial engineering improvements over traditional nuclear fuel. Most notably, the fuel's demonstrated resilience during a 24-hour dryout test - maintaining structural integrity where conventional fuel would fail - provides compelling evidence of enhanced safety features.
The potential for power uprates while maintaining safety margins could significantly improve reactor economics. The metallic fuel's performance in loss-of-coolant accident scenarios, showing lower peak cladding temperatures and reduced oxidation risk, addresses critical safety concerns in the nuclear industry. These advantages position Lightbridge Fuel as a potential game-changer for both existing reactors and next-generation SMRs.
This technical validation from prestigious institutions strengthens Lightbridge's competitive position in the nuclear fuel market. With the global push toward nuclear energy for clean power generation, enhanced safety features and improved economics could accelerate market adoption. The fuel's compatibility with NuScale's SMR design is particularly significant, as the SMR market is projected for substantial growth.
The DOE's support through multiple research grants indicates strong government interest and potential pathway to commercialization. However, investors should note that commercial deployment still requires regulatory approval and successful completion of upcoming tests at Idaho National Laboratory. The
RESTON, Va., Oct. 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lightbridge Corporation (“Lightbridge”) (Nasdaq: LTBR), an advanced nuclear fuel technology company, today shares insightful findings from three technical papers presented at the TopFuel 2024 Conference in Grenoble, France. These papers, produced by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Structural Integrity Associates (SIA), and Lightbridge further validate the enhanced safety and performance of Lightbridge Fuel™, particularly its improved performance under extreme conditions.
Key Findings from the MIT Study
MIT's study, supported by a U.S. Department of Energy Nuclear Energy University Programs (DOE NEUP) grant, simulated the performance of Lightbridge Fuel in NuScale’s Small Modular Reactor (SMR).
Dr. Koroush Shirvan, Atlantic Richfield Career Development Professor in Energy Studies at Nuclear Science and Engineering Department at MIT, commented, “The results from our analysis of Lightbridge Fuel in the NuScale VOYGR small modular reactor have shown promising safety and performance benefits. Compared to conventional fuel, Lightbridge Fuel demonstrated improved thermal-hydraulic margins, lower operating temperatures, and greater potential for power uprates, which contributes to enhancing reactor economics. Our collaboration with Lightbridge furthers the development of innovative nuclear fuel technologies critical to reducing cost of future nuclear power plants.”
The MIT findings confirm that Lightbridge Fuel operates at significantly lower temperatures compared to traditional fuel, with improved safety margins that can enable power uprate opportunities while maintaining safe operation of the fuel. The study emphasized Lightbridge Fuel's potential for power uprates, enabling reactors to generate more power safely.
According to the MIT study, the main advantages of Helical Cruciform Fuel (HCF), aka Lightbridge Fuel, over cylindrical fuel are:
- Increased Heat Transfer Area: HCF has a
35% larger heat transfer area, which enhances heat removal efficiency. - Lower Operating Temperature: Due to the high thermal conductivity of the U-50Zr (uranium-50 weight percent zirconium) alloy, HCF operates at a lower temperature, reducing the mobility of fission gases and improving fuel performance.
- Higher Critical Heat Flux (CHF) Margin: The larger heat transfer area and improved flow mixing in HCF channels result in a higher CHF margin, allowing for potential power uprate.
- Self-spacing Design: HCF rods support each other at every twist pitch, eliminating the need for spacer grids and reducing pressure drop.
- Reduced Irradiation-induced Swelling: The higher zirconium content in HCF reduces swelling and the likelihood of fission gas release compared to U-rich U-Zr alloys.
- Lower CRUD Formation Potential: Lower wall temperatures and void fractions in HCF channels imply less CRUD (Chalk River Unidentified Deposits) formation.
These advantages make HCF a promising option for improving the performance and safety of small modular reactors (SMRs).
The full MIT paper can be found by clicking HERE or visiting https://www.ltbridge.com/news-media/technical-articles.
Key Findings from the SIA Study
SIA conducted a study under a DOE GAIN Regulatory Research Grant, evaluating Lightbridge Fuel in a Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) under both normal and accident conditions. The study concluded that Lightbridge’s metallic fuel is safer than conventional UO₂ fuel, particularly in accident conditions, with significantly lower peak cladding and peak fuel temperatures and where the calculations showed that cladding stresses were not sufficient to damage the cladding.
Dr. Wenfeng Liu, the principal investigator of this study from SIA, noted, “Our study of Lightbridge Fuel in pressurized water reactors under both normal and accident conditions confirmed significant safety enhancements over traditional uranium dioxide fuel. The fuel's lower operating temperatures and reduced cladding oxidation, particularly under loss-of-coolant conditions, underscore the potential of Lightbridge Fuel to improve reactor safety and operational reliability. We’re excited to contribute to advancing a technology that could play a key role in the future of nuclear power.”
According to the SIA study, in accident conditions, metallic fuel [Lightbridge Fuel] demonstrates several advantages over UO₂ fuel:
- Lower Peak Cladding Temperature (PCT): Metallic fuel exhibits significantly lower peak cladding temperatures compared to UO₂ (uranium dioxide) fuel during loss of coolant accidents (LOCA). For example, in various simulated conditions, the peak cladding temperature for metallic fuel was consistently lower than that for UO₂ fuel.
- Shorter Duration at High Temperatures: Metallic fuel spends less time at high temperatures during accident scenarios, which reduces the risk of cladding oxidation and failure.
- Reduced Cladding Oxidation: Due to the lower temperatures and shorter high-temperature durations, the cladding oxidation for metallic fuel is expected to be lower than for UO₂ fuel.
- Cladding Stresses not Sufficient to Damage Cladding: Although cladding stresses can increase due to fuel thermal expansion during rapid power changes, the stresses in metallic fuel are not significant enough to cause cladding damage.
- Enhanced Safety Margins: The overall lower temperatures and reduced oxidation contribute to enhanced safety margins, making metallic fuel a safer alternative in accident conditions.
In summary, the Lightbridge metallic fuel offers improved safety performance over UO₂ fuel in accident conditions by maintaining lower temperatures and reducing oxidation.
The full SIA paper can be found by clicking HERE or visiting https://www.ltbridge.com/news-media/technical-articles.
Summary of the Lightbridge paper presented at the TopFuel 2024 Conference
Lightbridge presented an overview of some of the company’s previous fuel development activities, including results from an experimental test, previously conducted in an overseas test reactor, where its metallic fuel rodlets endured approximately 24 hours in dryout conditions during irradiation. While conventional nuclear fuel would have experienced severe structural degradation that could have led to the loss of coolable geometry, Lightbridge Fuel maintained its structural integrity and coolable geometry, demonstrating an exceptional level of safety and durability. This physical test confirms the fuel’s resilience in certain loss-of-flow accident scenarios.
Scott Holcombe, Ph.D., Vice President of Engineering at Lightbridge Corporation, highlighted the significance of these findings: “What really stood out to me was the flow blockage incident previously experienced in a test reactor environment where our fuel samples were subjected to over 24 hours without proper water flow—an extreme situation that would typically result in severe degradation for conventional fuel resulting in a loss of coolable geometry. In contrast, the Lightbridge Fuel sample maintained its structural integrity and its coolable geometry under these extreme conditions. The fuel's performance under these accident conditions highlights the robustness and resilience of our design. This irradiation experiment is one of the key reasons we're confident in the future applications of Lightbridge Fuel.”
As reflected in the paper, a number of studies and experiments have been conducted on Lightbridge Fuel over the years to confirm its performance and potential benefits:
1. Neutronics Studies:
- Detailed calculations using MCNP-6 and DRAGON to model the fuel's geometry and performance.
- Evaluations in various reactor configurations (e.g., Westinghouse AP-1000, AREVA EPR, standard Westinghouse-type four-loop 1,100-MWe PWR) to assess reactivity control, power uprates, and fuel cycle costs.
2. Thermal-Hydraulics Studies:
- Analytical studies to determine heat flux, coolant flow rates, and heat transfer coefficients.
- Subchannel calculations using the SC-1 code to develop correlations for Departure from Nucleate Boiling Ratios.
- Experimental tests on dummy fuel rods to verify hydraulic resistance, critical power, and vibration characteristics.
3. Safety Analyses (for VVER-1000 reactors):
- Simulations using codes like KANAL, RELAP5, RECOL, and TIGR-1 to analyze various operational occurrences and design basis accidents.
- Comparisons of peak cladding temperatures and cool-down times between Lightbridge Fuel and standard UO2 fuel.
4. Fuel Performance Studies:
- Development of performance models using ANSYS to evaluate temperatures, strains, and swelling.
- Access to a database of performance data from similar uranium-zirconium alloy fuels used in icebreaker ships.
5. Irradiation Tests:
- Proof-of-concept irradiation tests in the IR-8 research reactor to assess fabrication-related faults and performance under irradiation.
6. Fabrication Development:
- Co-extrusion of fuel rods using surrogate materials and investigation of ingot casting techniques.
- Ongoing fabrication development at Idaho National Laboratory.
These studies have confirmed the expected performance of Lightbridge Fuel and provided a basis for continued development and future regulatory licensing.
The full Lightbridge paper can be found by clicking HERE or visiting https://www.ltbridge.com/news-media/technical-articles.
Lightbridge is now preparing for in-reactor testing of its coupon fuel samples at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) under its Strategic Partnership Project (SPP) agreement. The Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) at INL will provide critical data to further validate these safety and performance benefits, which will be instrumental as Lightbridge continues toward regulatory licensing and commercial deployment.
For more information, visit Lightbridge’s Technical Articles section on their website, where the full papers from TopFuel 2024, along with summaries prepared by Lightbridge are available: https://www.ltbridge.com/news-media/technical-articles.
About Lightbridge Corporation
Lightbridge Corporation (NASDAQ: LTBR) is focused on developing advanced nuclear fuel technology essential for delivering abundant, zero-emission, clean energy and providing energy security to the world. The Company is developing Lightbridge Fuel™, a proprietary next-generation nuclear fuel technology for existing light water reactors and pressurized heavy water reactors, significantly enhancing reactor safety, economics, and proliferation resistance. The Company is also developing Lightbridge Fuel for new small modular reactors (SMRs) to bring the same benefits plus load-following with renewables on a zero-carbon electric grid.
Lightbridge has entered into two long-term framework agreements with Battelle Energy Alliance LLC, the United States Department of Energy’s operating contractor for Idaho National Laboratory, the United States' lead nuclear energy research and development laboratory. DOE’s Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear program has twice awarded Lightbridge to support the development of Lightbridge Fuel over the past several years. Lightbridge is participating in two university-led studies through the DOE Nuclear Energy University Program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Texas A&M University. An extensive worldwide patent portfolio backs Lightbridge’s innovative fuel technology. Lightbridge is included in the Russell Microcap® Index. For more information, please visit www.ltbridge.com.
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Forward Looking Statements
With the exception of historical matters, the matters discussed herein are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations on the date of this news release and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ significantly from such estimates. The risks include, but are not limited to: Lightbridge’s ability to commercialize its nuclear fuel technology; the degree of market adoption of Lightbridge’s product and service offerings; Lightbridge’s ability to fund general corporate overhead and outside research and development costs; market competition; our ability to attract and retain qualified employees; dependence on strategic partners; demand for fuel for nuclear reactors; Lightbridge’s ability to manage its business effectively in a rapidly evolving market; the availability of nuclear test reactors and the risks associated with unexpected changes in Lightbridge’s fuel development timeline; the increased costs associated with metallization of Lightbridge’s nuclear fuel; public perception of nuclear energy generally; changes in the political environment; risks associated with war in Europe; changes in the laws, rules and regulations governing Lightbridge’s business; development and utilization of, and challenges to, Lightbridge’s intellectual property; risks associated with potential shareholder activism; potential and contingent liabilities; as well as other factors described in Lightbridge's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Lightbridge does not assume any obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as the result of new developments or otherwise, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
A further description of risks and uncertainties can be found in Lightbridge’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, and in its other filings with the SEC, including in the sections thereof captioned “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements”, all of which are available at http://www.sec.gov/ and www.ltbridge.com.
Investor Relations Contact:
Matthew Abenante, IRC
Director of Investor Relations
Tel: +1 (347) 947-2093
ir@ltbridge.com
This press release was published by a CLEAR® Verified individual.
FAQ
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