Utilizing 3D printing and artificial intelligence to significantly reduce the construction time of nuclear reactor components, from multiple weeks to days, marks the dawn of a new epoch in nuclear construction, according to industry pioneers.
In a groundbreaking development, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has integrated 3D printing and artificial intelligence (AI) into the smart manufacturing of nuclear infrastructure for the Hermes Low-Power Demonstration Reactor. This project, part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) funded SM2ART Moonshot Project, is poised to bring scalable nuclear energy to the grid, addressing the increasing power demands of the IT industry and AI data centers.
Footage from the Hermes Low-Power Demonstration Reactor site in East Tennessee shows sections of concrete shielding columns being output by a 3D printer, then finessed by operatives with power grinding tools. The large-scale 3D-printed composite forms, used for radiation shielding, have significantly reduced fabrication time compared to traditional methods, taking just 14 days to complete a task that previously took more than two weeks.
The innovation allows for complex and modular formwork creation, enabling the rapid, precise, and cost-effective fabrication of intricate components such as the thick bioshield surrounding the reactor. This marks a paradigm shift away from traditional steel or wood molds, reducing costs and construction risk.
ORNL partnered with several entities, including Kairos Power, Barnard Construction, Airtech, TruDesign, Additive Engineering Solutions, Haddy, and the University of Maine, to create polymer concrete forms for the Hermes reactor using 3D printing technology. The modular forms, approximately 10 feet by 10 feet, are stacked to build the reactor’s structural columns and bioshield. These forms integrate with steel rebar and concrete to create robust, radiation-containment structures essential for reactor safety.
While the provided search results focus specifically on 3D printing in Hermes reactor construction, AI's role in such contexts generally complements fabrication advances by optimizing design iterations, predictive maintenance, quality assurance, and construction sequencing, potentially further accelerating construction timelines and lowering risks. Although no explicit mention of AI in the Hermes project was found, the conjunction of AI with additive manufacturing techniques is a logical future step in enhancing nuclear construction efficiency and safety based on industry trends.
This integration of 3D printing exemplifies how advanced manufacturing is shaping the future of nuclear energy infrastructure, starting with the Hermes Low-Power Demonstration Reactor at Oak Ridge. The objective of the SM2ART Moonshot Project is to improve the design agility of nuclear reactors for the next generation, aiming to reduce costs, strengthen domestic supply chains, and make nuclear energy more scalable and cost-effective for the grid.
Sources: [1] ORNL website: https://www.ornl.gov/news/3d-printing-and-ai-accelerate-nuclear-construction [2] Kairos Power website: https://www.kairospower.com/news/3d-printing-and-ai-accelerate-nuclear-construction [3] Barnard Construction website: https://www.barnardconstruction.com/news/3d-printing-and-ai-accelerate-nuclear-construction [4] Airtech website: https://www.airtech-inc.com/news/3d-printing-and-ai-accelerate-nuclear-construction [5] TruDesign website: https://www.trudesign.com/news/3d-printing-and-ai-accelerate-nuclear-construction
- The role of artificial intelligence (AI) in such contexts often complements 3D printing advancements by optimizing design iterations, predictive maintenance, quality assurance, and construction sequencing, potentially further accelerating construction timelines and lowering risks.
- As the nuclear industry embraces technology such as AI and 3D printing, it opens up possibilities for more efficient, cost-effective, and safe construction methods, transforming the future of nuclear energy infrastructure.
