IBC's Enhanced BeO Nuclear Fuel Exceeds Thermal Conductivity Expectations and Other Critical Performance Factors
March 18 2014 - 9:00AM
Marketwired
IBC's Enhanced BeO Nuclear Fuel Exceeds Thermal Conductivity
Expectations and Other Critical Performance Factors
IBC Provides an Update on its Nuclear Fuels R&D Program and
Demonstrates a Consistent and Repeatable Production Method
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Mar 18, 2014) - IBC
Advanced Alloys Corp. (TSX-VENTURE:IB) (OTCQX: IAALF) ("IBC" or the
"Company") provides an update on the Company's enhanced beryllium
oxide (BeO) nuclear fuel R&D program being conducted at Purdue
University, Texas A&M University and MIT. Recent results met or
exceeded expectations in the critical areas of repeatability and
scalability of fuel pellet production, and as-fabricated fuel
pellet thermal conductivity. The higher thermal conductivity will
allow the fuel to attain the desired thermal conductivity with
about one-half of the prior BeO content thereby enabling the fuel
to achieve its desired power output with lower enriched uranium
content which improves fuel economics.
The Texas A&M team, led by Dr. Sean McDeavitt, has
successfully established a repeatable lab-scale pellet production
method that should enable fuel manufacturers, utility operators and
regulators to confidently and consistently accept the physical
properties of BeO pellets from one production batch to another. A
repeatable pellet production method is critical to establish
consistently high quality UO2-BeO fuel pellets that can be
optimally utilized for industrial irradiation cycles.
"We are able to achieve consistent repeatability at our Texas
A&M research laboratories and have demonstrated strong data
driven results for enhanced UO2-BeO pellets," reports Dr. Sean
McDeavitt. "Measurements of the as-fabricated pellet thermal
conductivity, a key parameter for fuel performance, have also
exceeded expectations and our research has consistently returned
results with approximately twice the values for thermal
conductivity of unenhanced UO2."
These new and higher thermal conductivity measurements are
important as they predict the ability to facilitate the same power
output but with less BeO than previously expected in each pellet.
This has an important and valuable knock-on effect as, with less
BeO being used, the uranium content of each pellet may then be
increased which in turn supports a reduction in uranium-235
enrichment. This can all be done while still maintaining optimal
energy production with longer fuel cycles. This is extremely
encouraging for the nuclear industry, especially reactor operators
and utility companies, who would gain significant improvements in
safety margins and operating economics with IBC's BeO enhanced
accident tolerant fuel.
"We are very encouraged with these new results and their safety
and economic implications for IBC's BeO nuclear fuel project,"
commented Jim Malone, IBC's Vice President of Nuclear Fuel.
"Today's nuclear industry is examining a variety of new
technologies focused on the development of more economically
efficient and accident tolerant nuclear fuels. We believe that
IBC's BeO enhanced fuel has further demonstrated its commercial
potential and we look forward," continued Mr. Malone, "to sharing
these new and exciting results with our potential industry partners
and to jointly taking the research to the next step."
IBC sponsored research focuses on the structure and composition
of beryllium oxide enhanced nuclear fuel as well as new protective
cladding technologies, primarily silicon carbide, to improve fuel
performance including longer life, more stability and better
thermal conductivity. IBC sponsors R&D at Purdue University,
Texas A&M University, and has partnered with Global Nuclear
Fuels to conduct multi-oxide fuel testing. IBC is also partnered
with Ceramic Tubular Products, LLC and Massachusetts Institute of
Technology ("MIT") to develop and analyze a silicon carbide-based
ceramic composite cladding which will complement the BeO nuclear
fuel.
About IBC Advanced Alloys Corp.
IBC is an integrated manufacturer and distributor of rare metals
(beryllium) based alloys and related products serving a variety of
industries including nuclear energy, automotive, telecommunications
and a range of industrial applications. IBC has 80 employees and is
headquartered in Vancouver, Canada with production facilities in
Indiana, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Missouri. IBC is creating
a dynamic global beryllium and advanced alloys company. IBC's
common shares are traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the
symbol "IB" and the OTCQX under the symbol "IAALF".
This news release was prepared by management of IBC, which
takes full responsibility for its contents. The TSX Venture
Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for
the adequacy of this news release. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor
its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the
policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for
the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This disclosure contains certain forward-looking statements
that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties,
certain of which are beyond the Company's control including: the
impact of general economic conditions in the areas in which the
Company operates, industry conditions, changes in laws and
regulations including the adoption of new environmental laws and
regulations and changes in how they are interpreted and enforced,
increased competition, the lack of availability of qualified
personnel or management, limited availability of raw materials,
fluctuations in commodity prices, foreign exchange or interest
rates, stock market volatility and obtaining required approvals of
regulatory authorities. In addition there are risks and
uncertainties associated with manufacturing activities therefore
the Company's future results, performance or achievements could
differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking
statements. All statements included in this press release that
address activities, events or developments that the Company
expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future
are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on
assumptions made by the Company based on its experience, perception
of historical trends, current conditions, expected future
developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the
circumstances.
IBC Advanced Alloys Corp.Ian TootillDirector of Corporate
Communications(604) 685-6263 ext.
110itootill@ibcadvancedalloys.comwww.ibcadvancedalloys.comThe
Howard Group Inc.Dave BurwellToll Free: 1-888-221-0915 or (403)
221-0915info@howardgroupinc.com
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