Silex Process
Encyclopedia
SILEX is an acronym for Separation of Isotopes by Laser Excitation , a technology developed in the 1990s for isotope separation
to produce enriched uranium
using lasers.
The SILEX process was developed in Australia
by Silex Systems Limited, a publicly listed high technology innovation company founded in 1988, and was invented by Dr Michael Goldsworthy and Dr Horst Struve. The process builds on earlier work in laser enrichment that began in the 1970s, such as AVLIS (atomic vapor laser isotope separation) and MLIS (molecular laser isotope separation.)
In November 1996 Silex Systems Limited signed a license and development agreement for the application of SILEX technology exclusively to uranium enrichment with the United States Enrichment Corporation
(USEC) avoiding any problems for Australia under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
.
Silex Systems Limited concluded the second stage of testing in 2005 and began enacting its Test Loop Program. In 2007, an exclusive commercialization and licensing agreement was signed with General Electric Corporation. The Test Loop Program was transferred to GE's facility in Wilmington, North Carolina
. Also in 2007, GE-Hitachi signed Letters of Intent for uranium enrichment services with Exelon and Entergy - the two largest nuclear power utilities in the USA.
In 2008, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy
(GEH) spun off Global Laser Enrichment (GLE) to commercialise the SILEX Technology and announced the first potential commercial uranium enrichment facility using the Silex process. The USA's Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved a license amendment to operate the Test Loop. Also in 2008, Cameco Corporation, the world’s largest uranium producer, had joined GE and Hitachi as owners of their laser enrichment venture GLE.
In 2010, concerns were raised the process poses a threat to global nuclear security; the process requires up to 75% less space and consumes considerably less energy than current enrichment technologies, it is reportedly almost undetectable from orbit potentially allowing rogue governments activities to go undetected by the international community.
In August, 2011 The New York Times
reported that Global Laser Enrichment, a subsidiary of GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, had applied to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
for a permit to build a commercial plant at Wilmington. Details of the process are secret.
Isotope separation
Isotope separation is the process of concentrating specific isotopes of a chemical element by removing other isotopes, for example separating natural uranium into enriched uranium and depleted uranium. This is a crucial process in the manufacture of uranium fuel for nuclear power stations, and is...
to produce enriched uranium
Enriched uranium
Enriched uranium is a kind of uranium in which the percent composition of uranium-235 has been increased through the process of isotope separation. Natural uranium is 99.284% 238U isotope, with 235U only constituting about 0.711% of its weight...
using lasers.
The SILEX process was developed in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
by Silex Systems Limited, a publicly listed high technology innovation company founded in 1988, and was invented by Dr Michael Goldsworthy and Dr Horst Struve. The process builds on earlier work in laser enrichment that began in the 1970s, such as AVLIS (atomic vapor laser isotope separation) and MLIS (molecular laser isotope separation.)
In November 1996 Silex Systems Limited signed a license and development agreement for the application of SILEX technology exclusively to uranium enrichment with the United States Enrichment Corporation
United States Enrichment Corporation
The United States Enrichment Corporation, a subsidiary of USEC Inc. , is a corporation that contracts with the United States Department of Energy to produce enriched uranium for use in nuclear power plants.-History:...
(USEC) avoiding any problems for Australia under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, commonly known as the Non-Proliferation Treaty or NPT, is a landmark international treaty whose objective is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and to...
.
Silex Systems Limited concluded the second stage of testing in 2005 and began enacting its Test Loop Program. In 2007, an exclusive commercialization and licensing agreement was signed with General Electric Corporation. The Test Loop Program was transferred to GE's facility in Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington is a port city in and is the county seat of New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States. The population is 106,476 according to the 2010 Census, making it the eighth most populous city in the state of North Carolina...
. Also in 2007, GE-Hitachi signed Letters of Intent for uranium enrichment services with Exelon and Entergy - the two largest nuclear power utilities in the USA.
In 2008, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy
GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy
GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy is a provider of advanced reactors and nuclear services. It is located in Wilmington, N.C.. Established in June 2007, GEH is a global nuclear alliance created by General Electric and Hitachi...
(GEH) spun off Global Laser Enrichment (GLE) to commercialise the SILEX Technology and announced the first potential commercial uranium enrichment facility using the Silex process. The USA's Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved a license amendment to operate the Test Loop. Also in 2008, Cameco Corporation, the world’s largest uranium producer, had joined GE and Hitachi as owners of their laser enrichment venture GLE.
In 2010, concerns were raised the process poses a threat to global nuclear security; the process requires up to 75% less space and consumes considerably less energy than current enrichment technologies, it is reportedly almost undetectable from orbit potentially allowing rogue governments activities to go undetected by the international community.
In August, 2011 The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
reported that Global Laser Enrichment, a subsidiary of GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, had applied to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is an independent agency of the United States government that was established by the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 from the United States Atomic Energy Commission, and was first opened January 19, 1975...
for a permit to build a commercial plant at Wilmington. Details of the process are secret.