Versatile Test Reactor

INTRODUCTION Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA), the managing and operating contractor for the Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in Idaho Falls, Idaho, is seeking an Expression of Interest (EOI) from industry stakeholders interested in the development or maturation of a concept and associated cost estimate for a new fast spectrum neutron irradiation capability. The focus of this effort is to sufficiently mature the reactor concept and cost estimate to inform a DOE decision on whether to build this capability. Pending approval for final design and construction, the capability is envisioned to consist of a nominal 300 MWth sodium-cooled fast test reactor for the intended purpose to irradiate materials and fuels. The capability does not include any power producing equipment. BACKGROUND Advanced nuclear fuels and materials require irradiation testing before they can be used in energy-producing reactors. The testing provides a fundamental understanding of materials performance, validation of models for more rapid future development, and engineering scale validation of materials performance in support of licensing efforts. The integral combination of a fast neutron irradiation capability, experiment environment flexibility, radioactive material handling, and the post-irradiation examination (PIE) suite of capabilities is not available domestically or internationally. The lack of this capability restrains civilian research and development of advanced nuclear energy technologies by private and public institutions, and expansion of theoretical and practical knowledge of nuclear physics, chemistry, and materials science. In February 2017, the Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy's (DOE-NE) Nuclear Energy Advisory Committee (NEAC) released a final report evaluating the needs and requirements for a new U.S. test reactor. This report received unanimous approval by the NEAC members with the key recommendation of the report being "DOE-NE proceed immediately with pre-conceptual design planning activities to support a new fast neutron test reactor (including cost and schedule estimates)." Subsequently, DOE-NE initiated a 3-year research and development (R&D) effort to inform a DOE decision on the further development of a Versatile Test Reactor (VTR). The purpose of the 3-year R&D effort is to mature a concept and cost estimate for a versatile experimental capability that enables an understanding of nuclear fuels and structural materials performance under extreme irradiation environments, that is operational by 2026. The VTR will, through experimental, theoretical, and computational advances, provide the basic and applied physics, materials science, nuclear fuels, and advanced sensor communities with a unique research capability to enable a comprehensive understanding of the multi scale and multi physics performance of nuclear fuels and structural materials to support the development of advanced nuclear energy systems. PLANT DESCRIPTION The VTR concept primary attributes are outlined below: - A sodium cooled pool type reactor, with modern safety features such as decay heat removal systems that do not require power. The pool configuration will contain the reactor, primary coolant pumps, intermediate heat exchangers, fuel handling machines, and fuel transfer and storage capability. Primary tank and guard vessels will provide assurance there is no credible loss of primary coolant scenario. - The reactor shall have the capability to insert experiments in high flux areas of the core including open test assemblies and test vehicles with static or circulating experiment coolant. - The reactor power level and test location neutron flux are projected to be 300 MWth and > 4 x 1015 n/cm2 -sec, respectively. This power level provides desired performance and maintains significant safety and experimental margins to maintain versatility for future operations. - The fuel is a metal alloy containing Uranium- 20%Plutonium-10% Zirconium (uranium enrichment ~ 5%235U). - The reactor heat is rejected to the atmosphere. Electrical generation is not planned. SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS BEA seeks interested parties to develop or mature a concept design and associated cost estimate and schedule for a new fast neutron irradiation capability as described above. It is desired if possible to leverage existing designs and cost and schedule estimates. Interested offerors are encouraged to submit a response that efficiently generates a viable sodium-cooled fast reactor concept with the attributes noted in section III. Additionally, the response shall address an approach for mitigating nuclear design and construction risk such as achieving design and safety basis stability, mitigation of supply chain issues, and ensuring a high accuracy cost and schedule. Interested parties who respond with information that illustrates existing capabilities in this technical area will be added to a potential bidders list for a future request for proposal. All responses to this EOI must be provided as an attachment in an e-mail message addressed to Steven.Gihring@inl.gov with the subject line "Response to EOI" no later than May 14th, 2018. Responses must be provided as Microsoft Word (.doc/.docx) no more than 10 pages in length, no less than 12 point font, 1-in margins, and no more than 2 MB in size. Only electronic responses will be accepted. Responses submitted by any other means will not be considered by INL. PROPRIETARY INFORMATION: Because information received in response to this EOI may be used to structure future programs and Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA) and/or otherwise be made available to the public, respondents must NOT include any information in their responses that might be considered business sensitive, proprietary, or otherwise confidential. Responses must be submitted with the understanding that their contents may be publicly disclosed and, in the event of a public disclosure, VTR Program Office will NOT notify respondents or provide any opportunity to revise or redact submitted information. To avoid a future conflict of interest, information from responses may be shared with other VTR program contributors. Release of information shall be managed by the INL VTR Program Office.