Making history at the Uranium Processing Facility: First furnaces powered up
The Uranium Processing Facility (UPF) Project recently made history by starting up furnaces for the first time, making a major milestone in modernizing the nation's uranium mission.
“Heating up these furnaces was a great start to UPF’s furnace testing program. Every UPF product will be processed in a furnace at some point, enabling Y-12’s critical nuclear deterrence, nonproliferation, and global security missions,” said UPF system testing lead Steve L. “Our team is grateful for the years of work from UPF’s Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Startup teams as well as the support from NNSA and Consolidated Nuclear Security that have made achieving this milestone possible.”
Sintering and microwave furnaces turned on
Y-12 first tested the sintering furnaces, the function of which is best compared to the second bake of a twice-baked potato, that will provide a great finish to processing capabilities at UPF. The Y-12 team then carried out the initial firing of a UPF casting furnace, which will use a new microwave technology to melt and cast metal parts into shape.[NJ5.1][CS5.2] The advancements made in the casting and sintering furnaces, in addition to the design of UPF, contribute to creating a safe environment for the operators who will work at UPF.
Next steps for furnace testing
With safe operation of both the sintering and microwave furnaces confirmed, the team will review test results, prepare to bring the furnaces to their full operating temperatures, and begin testing with surrogate materials in coordination with the Y-12 Environmental, Safety, and Health organization [JN6.1]to ensure the team is safe every step along the way. The remaining UPF furnace technologies will be started up in the coming months.
