SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Nuclear Technology



	Geologists and geochemists study the Nopal 1 uranium deposit in Chihuahua, Mexico, as a possible analog to the behavior of spent nuclear fuel in an arid environment.

A nuclear energy renaissance is underway. Many commercial power generators have demonstrated a renewed interest in advanced reactor technologies and new power plant construction to provide reliable base-load capacity and ensure a diversified energy portfolio, while not increasing the production of greenhouse gases. In this highly regulated, technically complex, and capital intensive industry, human capital is the key component for the safe expansion of nuclear energy. At the same time, an aging workforce makes it difficult to locate the necessary mission-critical skills. The Geosciences and Engineering Division at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is a unique single source of technical expertise.

Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses

The Geosciences and Engineering Division has a long history of providing expert technical and regulatory analysis for nuclear programs around the world, while maintaining a strict freedom from potential conflicts of interest. Starting with the founding of the Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses (CNWRA^®) at SwRI in 1987 as the only U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)-sponsored Federally Funded Research and Development Center, the Geosciences and Engineering Division has supported a wide range of nuclear programs in the United States, Europe, and Asia for both government agencies and commercial clients.

Nuclear Technology Experience

Through the initial development of a vibrant nuclear technology program to support the NRC, SwRI has extensive expertise in all aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle, including

Uranium recovery


	Carefully designed laboratory experiments allow material scientists to study the effects of chemistry, temperature, and microbial activity on steel alloy performance.

Uranium enrichment
Nuclear fuel fabrication
Nuclear waste management
Decontamination and decommissioning
Site remediation

Each of these programs has specific requirements that requires an integrated approach. Geosciences and Engineering Division staff use a multidisciplinary team approach that addresses common issues related to:

Problem Solving Techniques

With their in-depth experience in nuclear regulation, Geosciences and Engineering Division staff solve the most challenging client problems using transparent and traceable technical support that includes:



	Time-domain soil structure analysis software enables geotechnical engineers and seismologists to assess the seismic hazard associated with dry cask storage of spent nuclear fuel.

High-end computer simulation
Customized field campaigns
Carefully designed laboratory programs and analysis
Compliance determination for applicable laws and relevant regulatory requirements

In undertaking this type of work, the Geosciences and Engineering Division relies on highly skilled staff with expertise in

About Nuclear Technology Projects

Geosciences and Engineering Division nuclear technology projects have included short-term projects with budgets ranging from a few thousand dollars to long-term programs with annual budgets approaching $20 million. Geosciences and Engineering Division staff work closely with each client to understand the unique needs and organizational requirements that give context to the project. All work is managed carefully under a rigorous NRC-compliant quality assurance program to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery of products that meet the most exacting client needs.

image of the PC-based Preclosure Safety Assessment (PCSA) tool that SwRI engineers and health physicists developed

SwRI engineers and health physicists developed the PC-based Preclosure Safety Assessment (PCSA) tool to evaluate event sequences associated with a nuclear fuel handling facility.

For more information about our nuclear technology capabilities, or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Dr. John Stamatakos, jstamatakos@swri.org, (301) 881-0290, Dr. Sitakanta Mohanty, smohanty@swri.org, (210) 522-5185, or Dr. Gordon Wittmeyer, gwittmeyer@swri.org, (210) 522-5082, or Dr. Todd Mintz, tmintz@swri.org, (210) 522-5282.