PHOENIX AZ — Deep Isolation, a leading innovator in nuclear waste storage and disposal solutions, will present its three latest publications and offer insights into site screening criteria at Waste Management Symposia 2024. The conference is taking place at the Convention Center in Phoenix, AZ from March 10 through March 14, 2024.

On March 12 at 8:55 am, Deep Isolation’s Head of Engineering, Jesse Sloane, will discuss our project to develop a Universal Canister System.   Working in conjunction with NAC International Inc., the University of California, Berkeley, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Deep Isolation is leading the charge to develop an integrated waste management system for the safe transport, storage, and ultimate disposal of waste streams coming from advanced fuel cycles and advanced reactors.  Project UPWARDS will deliver a Universal Canister System design, a functional prototype to be used for future testing, and a set of generic waste acceptance criteria, providing for true universality by allowing for the disposal of a variety of waste streams in both conventional mined and novel deep borehole repositories.

“The Project UPWARDS team has made considerable progress through the first half of the project.  We expect the Universal Canister System to set a new standard for the advanced reactor industry, enabling companies to plan for use of a fully integrated waste management system prior to their new reactors even coming online,” Sloane said.  “Deep Isolation has worked diligently to create solutions for the disposal of legacy nuclear waste, a challenge that has hindered the global nuclear power industry for decades.  As we continue advancing these solutions, we are committed to proactively clearing these hurdles for the next generation of nuclear power.”

On March 12 at 1 pm, Dr. Ethan Bates, Director of Systems Engineering, will present a paper outlining Deep Isolation’s newly developed site evaluation framework for deep borehole repositories. “One of the first questions any nation will ask when considering deep borehole disposal is what types of site properties and host rocks are needed.  In this paper we developed a systematic and phased approach to answering this question, factoring in how the level of knowledge on potential sites and the repository design will change over time,” Dr. Bates said.

On March 12 at 2:45 pm, Chris Parker, Managing Director of Deep Isolation EMEA Limited, will present “Progress Towards the Demonstration of Deep Borehole Disposal”.  At Waste Management Symposia 2023, a group of international stakeholders from government and industry came together to announce the establishment of an independent, multi-national, non-profit organization: the Deep Borehole Demonstration Center.  He will describe the progress the Center has made over the last year, and outline the multi-year, phased program of work that the Center is looking to deliver.

CEO Liz Muller will also present the company and its technology to the Arizona section of the American Nuclear Society on Monday, March 11th at 6 pm at The Old Spaghetti Factory. Please feel free to RSVP by emailing Arizona@local.ans.org or texting (623) 377-2827. More information is available in this flyer. 

The Waste Management Symposia annual conference is a premier event that gathers 3,000 attendees from more than 30 countries to discuss and share ideas on many crosscutting topics including: robotic handling, remote systems, new technologies, radioactive and hazardous waste characterization, treatment storage, packaging, transportation, and disposal, engineering design and construction, environmental laboratories, decontamination, decommissioning, and environmental remediation – as well as emerging topics such as small modular reactors, clean energy, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).

Earlier this month, Deep Isolation announced the completion of its first full-size prototype canister in collaboration with its partners, for the safe geological disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste in deep boreholes. The corrosion-resistant canister, measuring over 16 feet in length and weighing close to 4,500 pounds, has been manufactured by the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC) in Rotherham, with support from Lancashire-based Graham Engineering. As part of this work, the canister design, driven by US fuel cycle specialist NAC International Inc., has been verified as meeting current UK regulatory requirements. Read Full Press Release.

Stop by Booth 540 at the Waste Management Symposia to learn more about Deep Isolation.

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About Deep Isolation

Deep Isolation is a leading global innovator in nuclear waste storage and disposal solutions. Driven by a passion for environmental stewardship and scientific ingenuity, the company’s patented solution of advanced nuclear technologies enables global delivery through its partnerships with industry leaders as well as flexible IP licensing options.

Press Contact:

Deep Isolation:
media@deepisolation.com
2001 Addison St., Suite 300
Berkeley, CA 94704
www.deepisolation.com

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JANESVILLE, WI – SHINE Technologies today announced that it has selected Deep Isolation’s technology as its preferred solution for storage and disposal of the high-level waste that will remain as a residue after deployment of SHINE’s technology for recycling used nuclear fuel (UNF). The two companies have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly drive forward spent fuel recycling supported by a safe and scalable solution for the resulting waste streams.

Under this agreement, SHINE and Deep Isolation will collaborate and exchange critical information for the use of Deep Isolation’s Universal Canister System (UCS) and patented directional drilling solution for deep borehole disposal for isolation and management of high-level waste.

A joint study by the two companies in 2023 looked at the feasibility and costs of disposing 100% of the high-level waste (HLW) remaining from SHINE’s 200 MTHiM pilot reprocessing facility by encapsulating the waste in the Universal Canister System and emplacing in deep boreholes. The study concluded that SHINE’s recycling process reduced the HLW volume by over 90% from the original UNF volume, and that Deep Isolation’s solution is technically and economically viable for the remaining waste. The study also identified areas where further technical work could optimize Deep Isolation’s technology for the remaining waste, reducing disposal costs even further.

“Our partnership with Deep Isolation marks an important step in achieving our mission. Climate change appears to be happening and accelerating, and nuclear energy is one of the best tools currently available to address carbon emissions.  The approximately 90,000 tons of civilian spent nuclear fuel across the United States represent an untapped and arguably renewable resource that if recycled will reduce emissions and accelerate the deployment of carbon free fission energy” said Greg Piefer, founder and CEO of SHINE. “The result of this work will be a reduction in waste volumes and ultimately half-life that allows for simpler, safer disposal.  Deep Isolation has proven they have a realistic and reasonable solution for the disposal of these wastes, among others as needed.  Our agreement underscores our mutual commitment to improve the world through enabling expansion of clean fission power while responsibly managing its waste stream.”

Liz Muller, CEO of Deep Isolation, says, “This agreement gives the two companies a clear framework to commercialize our respective innovations in an integrated way. Clean nuclear power can only take off if the industry can show society that there are safe, practical, and permanent means of disposing the highly radioactive materials that result. Integrating Deep Isolation’s disposal technology with SHINE’s recycling technology offers a powerful solution.”

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About Deep Isolation

Deep Isolation is a leading global innovator in nuclear waste storage and disposal solutions. Driven by a passion for environmental stewardship and scientific ingenuity, the company’s patented solution of advanced nuclear technologies enables global delivery through its partnerships with industry leaders as well as flexible IP licensing options.

About SHINE Technologies 

Headquartered in Janesville, Wisconsin, SHINE Technologies stands as an industry leader in next-generation fusion, deploying innovative fusion technology that seamlessly combines safety, cost-efficiency, and environmental responsibility. SHINE is at the forefront of creating non-carrier-added lutetium-177—a vital component in cutting-edge medical treatments.

SHINE’s commitment to innovation extends beyond the realms of industry and healthcare. Drawing on its fusion technology expertise, the company has set its sights on addressing one of energy’s most complex challenges—nuclear waste recycling and fusion energy. With a comprehensive and visionary approach, SHINE is steadfastly driving advancements across multiple sectors, leaving an indelible mark on the domains of technology, healthcare, and sustainable energy solutions. Learn more at shinefusion.com.

Press Contact:

Deep Isolation:
media@deepisolation.com
www.deepisolation.com

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