Funding will support the project team's small-scale research and development of a graphite digestion technology for the purpose of providing significant volume reduction of spent nuclear fuel from high temperature gas-cooled reactors.
Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance
August 1, 2025
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Funding will support the project team's small-scale research and development of a graphite digestion technology for the purpose of providing significant volume reduction of spent nuclear fuel from high temperature gas-cooled reactors. Specifically, the project team will (1) design, fabricate, test, and validate a tri-isotopic graphite digestion system, (2) conduct graphite digestion and fuel recovery studies, and (3) design, fabricate, test, and validate the combined vapor-based digestion technology to meet final concept standards. If successful, this project will facilitate the deployment of advanced reactors, improve the management, clean-up, and disposal of radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel, thereby increasing U.S. energy security.