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Since 2001, USEC scientists, engineers and contractors at our testing and development facilities in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, have worked to significantly update and improve the technology through the use of high-tech materials, advanced computer-aided design and analytic modeling tools for the uranium separation process, improved equipment design and rotor balancing, highly accurate digital controls and computer-aided manufacturing processes to exacting tolerances.
The first new centrifuge component tests began in 2003 and the first tests of a full-size centrifuge began in January 2005. These centrifuge tests were conducted in specially equipped test stands in Oak Ridge.
Testing in 2006 validated USEC’s initial performance target of 320 separative work units (SWU) per machine per year, which has been further optimized to achieve 350 SWU per machine per year. USEC believes that its technology has the potential for even greater performance.
The work at Oak Ridge and the information gathered from the Lead Cascade of prototype machines is forming the basis for the design of the AC100, USEC’s first production machine.
USEC will continue to conduct research and development on the American Centrifuge machines at its Oak Ridge facilities under its Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with Oak Ridge National Laboratory as the American Centrifuge Plant is built. Enhanced analytical tools and computer aided design and manufacturing methods may open the door to less costly, more productive machines.
USEC will continue enhancing its capability in centrifuge technology and develop a next-generation machine, with the goal of ensuring that the United States has a reliable, domestically owned and controlled source of uranium fuel and can continue its leadership in enrichment technology for nuclear power.