MGX Minerals Announces Advancement of Accident Tolerant Nuclear Fuel Review
VANCOUVER – TheNewswire - November 26, 2021 - MGX Minerals Inc. (“MGX” or the “Company”) (CSE:XMG) (CNSX:XMG.CN) (FKT:1MG) (OTC:MGXMF) announces rapid review of accident-tolerant nuclear type fuel (“ATF”) technology. The Company is working to advance ATF type fuel for existing pebble bed type nuclear reactors and future Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (“SMR”), inclusive of TRi-structural ISOtropic particle (“TRISO”) fuel type.
TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES OF INNOVATIVE ATF
Technological advantages are related to the improvement of the fuel microstructure. Larger grain size slows the release of fission product, increasing fuel swelling, and facilitating the heat transfer:
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A.Larger grain size in ATF is beneficial for formability of fuel and cracking diminishing (fuel softening). Larger grain size in ATF reduces the fuel porosity and increases thermal conductivity and heat dissipation;
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B.There is already a lowered oxidation (by about 2- 3 times at temperature 400C). This is important for the safety of the reactor operation. Oxidation of fuel drastically changes thermal conductivity and increase in fuel temperature that may lead to fuel meltdown.
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C.A decrease in the oxidation rate of ATF will decrease the embrittlement of the fuel and reduce fuel cracking and fission gas release.
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D.If the corrosion of fuel is slowed; less fuel is washed away. The burn-up is expected to be higher. This contributes to improved fuel cycle economics.
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E.Lower temperature gradient in fuel pellets may reduce internal stresses and probability of cracking.
The Company is now focussed on use of a proprietary fuel design in the safety upgrading and supply of the some 500 pebble bed reactors currently in use globally, including the CANDU reactor. In addition, there are approximately 100 new Small Modular Reactor (“SMR”) technologies currently in the research and development and commercialization phase. The purpose of providing a significantly increased thermal stability fuel increases reliability due to decreased over build up of centralized heat and reduced corrosion.
About MGX Minerals
MGX Minerals is a diversified Canadian resource and technology company with interests in advanced metals, industrial minerals, nuclear energy and rocketry.
Contact Information:
Andris Kikuaka
Chief Executive Officer
604 681 7735
Forward-Looking Statements
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