Downblending - More Information

The NFS downblending process continues to be a smart alternative for a variety of HEU challenges. Here are just a few:

HEU Cylinder Heel Project
Title Transfer from USEC to NFS of 940 Model 5A and 5B UF6 cylinders containing residual amounts of HEU. NFS cleaned each cylinder and processed approximately 200 kilograms of HEU for downblending. NFS sold the resulting 4,000 kilograms of LEU to a commercial client.

HEU Trap Material Project
USEC contract to NFS to purify 2.8 metric tons of trap materials containing HEU contaminated with alumna and sodium fluoride, then downblend the material to LEU for sale to commercial client.

HEU to LEU Downblending Project
DOE contract to NFS for the separation, purification and conversion of HEU-aluminum alloy to a stable HEU oxide form. Portions of the HEU were returned to Oak Ridge. TVA is expected to contract with a consortium, including NFS, for the remaining portion of HEU to undergo downblending to 4.4% enrichment for processing into LEU fuel assemblies.

Uranyl Nitrate Project
DOE contract to NFS for processing of 2,700 liters of highly enriched uranyl nitrate solution into a stable oxide form.

Uranyl Nitrate Blend Stock Project
USEC contract to NFS to provide 8,700 liters of liquid blend stock of uranyl nitrate.