Nuclear Proliferation TechnologyTrends Analysis - International ...

PNNL -14480
between the three programs. Initial production from these pilot plants began in 1972 and
full production was reached by early 1976 23 .
From these programs, two were selected to construct initial facilities. One, using
subcritical aluminum centrifuges of Dutch design was constructed in the United
Kingdom; the other subcritical machine of German design using maraging steel was
constructed in The Netherlands.
Urenco machines have been used exclusively for commercial nuclear fuel production.
However, in 1982, the United Kingdom began construction of a facility to be used to
enrich to 20% HEU for use in military programs. This facility (Capenhurst A-3) took
five years to complete and put into production. It produced 20% HEU for seven years,
when its military production role ended and commercial production began.
Urenco, which has the worlds most sophisticated and successful centrifuge enrichment
program, has developed six distinct generations of centrifuges examples of which are
listed below:
• Original models
- 1977 CNOR: aluminum subcritical centrifuges (Dutch model); 0.5-1.0
swu/yr. SNOR: aluminum supercritical centrifuges (Dutch model); 1-2
swu/yr,
- 1973 G-1 maraging steel subcritical centrifuge (German model), 1-2
swu/yr
• G-2/G-3 model
- Developed in the Mid-70’s were the first operational supercritical
centrifuges using maraging steel, the G-2 was essentially two G-1
rotors connected by bellows, and was capable of up to 5 swu/yr (the G-
3 model was three G-1 rotors connected by bellow and was never used
commercially)
• TC-11 model
- 1987 carbon fiber rotors, output 50% greater (5-8 swu/yr), capital costs
⅓ of G-2 model
• TC-12 model
- 1991 50% more output than TC-11, power costs ¼ of original (80
Kwh/swu vs. 20 Kwh/swu)
• TC-21
- 1999 double the capacity of the TC-12, output 30 times of original
centrifuges, ten times longer in length, and rotates twice as fast.
Urenco reportedly spends about eight years developing each generation. Urenco
machines are designed for a “no maintenance policy” 24 and have an excellent failure rate
23 “Status Report On Urenco’s Progress and Plans”, J.V.L. Parry, Recent Developments in Uranium Enrichment, American Institute of
Chemical Engineers Symposium Series, 221, Volume 78, 1982.
24 Centrifuge technology: The Future for Enrichment, Pat Upson, World Nuclear Association Annual Symposium 2001.
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