Rolls-Royce Micro-Reactor for Defence Applications Abi Clayton – Director, Future Programmes Operational Energy Conference, 2nd March 2023 © 2023 Rolls-Royce Not Subject to Export Control Private – Rolls-Royce Data What is a Micro Nuclear reactor? Power Scale Comparison: • Decay Heat: 1 kW • Space: 1 MW • Terrestrial: 10 MW [Micro-Reactor: 1 – 10 MW spans Space and Terrestrial] • Submarines: 10's MW • Rolls-Royce SMR: 0.5 GW © 2023 Rolls-Royce Not Subject to Export Control Private – Rolls-Royce Data Micro Nuclear is not a new idea Historical Examples: • US Army ML1 Reactor (0.5 MW) ~1965 • US Portable Reactor PM-2A (2 MW) ~1965 • US Space Reactor SNAP-10A (10 kW) ~1965 • US Navy Submarine NR-1 (~5 MW) 1969 - 2008 © 2023 Rolls-Royce Not Subject to Export Control Private – Rolls-Royce Data The Need for Change Strategic Drivers and UK Policy Framework: • Defence Support Strategy Overview (April 2022, Edition 2) • Support Advantage Charter (Ministry of Defence, DE&S, Strategic Command Defence Support, ADS, Team Defence Information) • Global Britain in a competitive age: The Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy (CP 403) • The Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution (Building back better, supporting green jobs, and accelerating our path to net zero - November 2020) © 2023 Rolls-Royce Not Subject to Export Control Private – Rolls-Royce Data World Leading Technology • SAFE AND ROBUST: A Rolls-Royce Micro-Reactor is designed to use an inherently safe and extremely robust fuel form. Each uranium particle is encapsulated in multiple protective layers that act as a containment system, allowing it to withstand extreme conditions. • MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS: Providing power for permanent infrastructure, electric propulsion systems, resource extraction and utilisation, including fuel production. • DEPLOYABLE: Self contained system within the spatial constraints of a shipping container, allowing for transport by road, rail, air, sea and space. • POWER DENSE: Providing the high-power required to reliably support operational demands, independent of environment or conditions to decarbonise the planet. • MISSION READY: Designed for rapid deployment and black-start capability, with a lifetime that's tailored to mission duration. • FLEXIBLE POWER: Flexible power and output heat as required, with a design that scales according to specific operational demands. © 2023 Rolls-Royce Not Subject to Export Control Private – Rolls-Royce Data Generation IV Technology: The Enablers Key Technology Pillars: 1. Coated Particle Low Enriched Uranium Fuel - Tristructural isotropic (TRISO) particle - Fuel Kernel (UCO, UO₂) - Porous Carbon Buffer - Inner Pyrolytic Carbon - Silicon Carbide - Outer Pyrolytic Carbon 2. Micro Turbine Generator Design 3. Heat Pipe Reactor Test © 2023 Rolls-Royce Not Subject to Export Control Private – Rolls-Royce Data Coated Particle Fuel / Accident Tolerant Fuel Fuel Structure: • Fuel Kernel: HALEU Uranium Dioxide or Carbide Fuel • Porous Carbon: Absorbs gaseous fission products • Pyrolytic Carbon: Structural protective layer • Silicon Carbide: High temperature protective layer • Pyrolytic Carbon: Secondary structural outer layer • Core: Particles restrained within core matrix (Compact) Accident Tolerant Fuel is an essential fuel form for deployable Micro-Reactor safety. © 2023 Rolls-Royce Not Subject to Export Control Private – Rolls-Royce Data Development Roadmap: 1. Requirements 2. Product Development 3. Prototypes (Suitable UK Site) 4. FOAK [First of a Kind] (UK MOD Site e.g: HMNB Portsmouth, RAF Fylingdales) 5. First Deployment (MOB or FOB, abroad) PIONEERS OF POWER © 2022 Rolls-Royce Not Subject to Export Control Private – Rolls-Royce Data Multiple Applications Operational Benefits: • Long Endurance Power • Energy Assurance • Decarbonising • Availability & Space • Removal of Complex Fuel Logistics Application Domains: • Space: - Permanent Infrastructure - Human Habitation - Nuclear Electric Propulsion - In-Situ Resource Utilisation - Nuclear Propulsion - Satellite Power • Maritime: - Floating Power Stations - Portside Power & Hotel Loads - Synthetic Fuel & Hydrogen Production - Vessel Power & Propulsion - Vessel/Vehicle Charging • Land: - Critical Infrastructure - Baseload & Transient Power - Green Industrial Power & High Quality Process Heat - Remote Power - Vehicle Charging © 2023 Rolls-Royce Not Subject to Export Control Private – Rolls-Royce Data [email protected] © 2022 Rolls-Royce Not Subject to Export Control Private – Rolls-Royce Data