BWX Technologies has received a contract from the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to develop a conceptual design for the first module of a new Lithium Processing Facility at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tenn.
The first phase of the award is a four-month, $4 million contract that covers the conceptual design of the facility’s Machining and Inspection Module, BWXT said Sept. 3. The new facility is intended to modernize lithium reprocessing capabilities currently performed in aging infrastructure.
Lithium processing supports NNSA’s national security mission through activities including direct reuse, purification, component production and salvage.
“Modernizing the nation’s nuclear security infrastructure” will help ensure NNSA has the capabilities to support its mission into the future, Heatherly Dukes, president of BWXT’s Technical Services Group, said in the statement. “Our decades of experience managing and operating complex, high-consequence sites give us unique insight into designing and constructing facilities that are ready to operate.”
BWXT is partnering with Edgewater Technical Associates, Evans General Contractors, Process Engineering Associates and Merrick & Co. on the project. NNSA selected the two companies to advance conceptual designs under a multi-phase approach. The agency will evaluate both designs during the first phase before selecting one team to proceed.
The second phase would involve completing the design, followed by a third phase in which NNSA intends to negotiate a construction contract with one qualified development team.
Additional modules of the Lithium Processing Facility are expected to be designed and constructed under separate contracts.