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Soda ash plant to go nuclear

 

Kayne Pyatt
Bridger Valley Pioneer
Via- Wyoming News Exchange

LYMAN — Due to the increasing demand from consumers to produce cleaner soda ash, Tata Chemicals Soda Ash Partners of Green River is partnering with BWXT Advanced Technologies of Lynchburg, Virginia, to explore the deployment of eight nuclear microreactors. 

“We are the first in Wyoming, and I believe in the world to pursue small nuclear reactors for commercial or industrial use. We’ve been working on this partnership for two years,” Tata Director of Government Affairs Jon Conrad told the Pioneer.

Ninety percent of the world’s soda ash comes from southwestern Wyoming. 

Tata is one of the world’s leading producers of high-quality soda ash and has been mining and processing trona ore, a mineral that contains soda ash, since 1968. Tata’s facility consists of an underground trona mine and a surface refining plant that processes the ore into soda ash. 

Products used every day are derived from soda ash and include glass, baking soda, pharmaceutical products, structural glass, glass for vehicles, solar panels, pulp and paper, soap and laundry detergent, chemicals, cleaning products, lithium batteries, animal nutrition and personal care products. 

BWX Technologies is the leading supplier of nuclear components and fuel to the U.S. government, also providing components and services to the commercial nuclear power industry. 

BWXT received the second phase of a contract with the Wyoming Energy Authority to assess the viability of deploying small-scale nuclear reactors in the state and was awarded a microreactor evaluation contract for Wyoming. 

“As a longtime energy leader, it is crucial for us to continue to bring public-private investments like this to Wyoming,”  Wyoming Energy Authority Executive Director Rob Creager said in a press release dated Dec. 12. “Supporting the trona industry while creating and extending the state’s portfolio of baseload power is a win for everyone.” 

Conrad said Tata sees nuclear power as an important energy source in its pursuit of a more secure and sustainable supply chain and in providing a low carbon footprint product. 

He said the company will transition from the use of coal and natural gas to nuclear by the year 2030, based on receiving permits from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency. 

The BWXT advanced nuclear reactor microreactor will deliver on-demand electricity and process heat that is both carbon-free and resilient from external disruptions. The microreactors use a liquid helium coolant and produce zero emissions. 

Eight modulars – factory assembled components used to create reactors – will be delivered on semi-trucks. The company will have the ability to add to the modulars if needed for future growth.

The modular reactors will be designed for Tata’s specific needs for pressure, maximum amounts of steam and electricity. 

Conrad said he is very comfortable with the safety of the microreactors, which have a lifespan of 10 years before the need to refuel. 

The cost of coal and natural gas can often be a fluctuating cost factor; the use of nuclear will allow Tata a flat operating cost for a number of years. This will allow it to be more competitive with China, also a leading producer of soda ash. 

“We are excited to expand our collaboration with TCSAP and believe we are laying out a credible path, both technically and commercially to bring nuclear reactors to southwestern Wyoming,” Joe Miller, president of BWXT Advanced Technologies, said in the release.

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