Westinghouse has partnered with Nordion and Public Service Enterprise Group Nuclear (PSEG) to launch the first commercial-scale production of Cobalt-60 in pressurized water reactors.
Cobalt-60 is a critical isotope used in the medical field and other industries. Isotope uses include cancer radiation therapy, sterilizing medical devices and food irradiation.
Westinghouse, which designed the pressurized water reactor [PWR] AP1000, said in its Tuesday press release that “the first commercial-scale implementation of Cobalt-60 production in PWRs is a transformative step toward a secure, diversified domestic Cobalt-60 supply.”
Within the joint initiative, the three companies have already signed long-term commercial agreements supporting deployment at the Salem Nuclear Generating Station in New Jersey, operated by PSEG. Constellation Energy owns a minority stake in Salem as well.
Additionally, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is reviewing PSEG’s license amendment request to put in place Westinghouse Cobalt Burnable Absorber inserts at Salem Units 1 and 2. The companies are targeting to implement the technology in 2026, subject to NRC authorization and plant operating schedules, according to the release.
Nordion is a Sotera Health Company based in Ottawa, Ontario. The Canadian company said it is the leading producer of Cobalt-60 with nearly 50% of its isotope being produced in CANDU reactors in Ontario.
PSEG Nuclear is a subsidiary of PSEG, an energy company headquartered in Newark, N.J.