Fuel: TRISO-X
Our reactors use tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) particle fuel, developed and improved over 60 years. We manufacture our own proprietary version (TRISO-X) to ensure supply and quality control.
“TRISO Particles are the most robust Nuclear Fuel on earth”
The key to Safety
The most critical element in an advanced nuclear reactor is a robust fuel that can withstand very high temperatures without melting. Our fuel cannot melt. Period
Our fuel cannot melt. Period
The key to Economics
TRISO-X utilizes more energy dense high assay low enriched uranium (HALEU) that allows for longer periods of operation. We will have the country’s first commercial TRISO facility to provide this fuel at a fraction the cost.
Fuel at a fraction of the cost
The key to Flexibility
Our Fuel allows for passive safety systems and a small reactor footprint, allowing us flexibility in sites and access to non-traditional nuclear markets.
Passive Safety Systems = Siting Flexibility
X-energy has patent protected TRISO-X Fuel to ensure supply, improve quality and reduce costs.
Contain yourself.
No more large, costly physical pressure-retaining containment structures.
Fuel Containment
TRISO-X Fuel IS the containment vessel. No more expensive, gigantic concrete and steel structures to build, maintain and get rid of. The TRISO-X Particle is its own vessel, designed by our scientists to be the best fuel on Earth and the Department of Energy agrees.
We reinvented the TRISO Fuel manufacturing process
TRISO-X employs the best and brightest ever to have worked on TRISO Fuel. The result? Higher yields, higher quality and more patents. We’ve taken TRISO fabrication from an art, to a science — TRISO-X Science.
TRISO Coated Particle Fuel is the Key to Safety
At the heart of the TRISO particle is the uranium oxide/carbide kernel; a chemistry that harnesses the power of fission better than conventional UO2 fuel. The kernel is surrounded by four barrier layers that act in concert to stabilize and contain the uranium kernel.
The pebble houses tens of thousands of TRISO particles. It's the perfect transport, fuel element, and storage container.
“We’ve reinvented the most robust & safe nuclear fuel on earth”
Dr. Pete Pappano
President, TRISO-X
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TRISO-X fuel is a proprietary version of tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) particle fuel developed by X-energy. It is a robust fuel designed to withstand high temperatures without melting and offers enhanced safety features for advanced nuclear reactors.
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TRISO-X fuel is crucial in ensuring the safety and reliability of advanced nuclear reactors. Its ability to withstand high temperatures without melting provides safety benefits and contributes to the overall performance of the reactor.
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X-energy manufactures TRISO-X fuel using a patent-protected manufacturing process. TRISO-X has assembled a team of fuel development and production experts who have refined the TRISO fuel fabrication process, resulting in higher yields, improved quality, and the generation of multiple patents.
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TRISO-X fuel offers several advantages, including enhanced safety, improved economics, and flexibility in reactor design and operation. It eliminates the need for large and costly physical pressure-retaining containment structures since the TRISO-X particle itself acts as the containment vessel. The fuel's ability to operate at high temperatures and utilize HALEU enables longer periods of reactor operation and reduces fuel costs.
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TRISO-X fuel is safer and more advanced than any nuclear reactor fuel on the planet. It is designed to withstand high temperatures without melting, making it highly resistant to fuel failure and release of radioactive materials. The multiple barrier layers surrounding the uranium kernel provide stability and containment, enhancing safety and reducing the risk of accidents or meltdowns.
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TRISO-X fuel utilizes high assay low enriched uranium (HALEU), which allows for longer periods of reactor operation compared to conventional fuel. We expect this to contribute to increased energy output and reduced fuel costs. X-energy's proprietary TRISO manufacturing process also contributes to cost reduction.
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The use of TRISO-X fuel enables the incorporation of passive safety systems and reduces the required footprint for the reactor. This flexibility allows for greater options in site selection and extends the applicability of advanced nuclear reactors to non-traditional nuclear markets.
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Dr. Pete Pappano serves as the President of TRISO-X at X-energy. He leads the team responsible for the development and advancement of TRISO-X fuel, leveraging his expertise and experience in nuclear fuel technology.
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TRISO-X fuel offers superior safety characteristics compared to conventional fuel. Safety is built directly inside these reactors, with its robust design and ability to withstand high temperatures without melting. These features provide a higher level of safety and reduce the risk of fuel failure. The containment properties of TRISO-X fuel eliminate the need for large and costly physical pressure-retaining containment structures associated with conventional fuel.
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TRISO-X fuel represents a significant step forward in nuclear fuel technology. Its enhanced safety, economic benefits, and flexibility in reactor design make it a promising solution for the advancement of advanced nuclear reactors. TRISO-X fuel contributes to the development of cleaner, more efficient, and safer nuclear energy options.
We’re Hiring
Developing state-of-the-art, high technology solutions for reactors and fuel requires both traditional nuclear and non-traditional engineering skills and experience. We’re looking for capabilities in solution development, multi-disciplinary analysis, systems engineering, facility design, test planning, logistics, management, and system integration.
