WASHINGTON - The Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) has approved the conceptual design and cost range for a new lithium processing building at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

The Lithium Processing Facility (LPF) project will replace Y-12's current lithium processing operations, which are located in a World War II-era building.

'We must modernize the Nuclear Security Enterprise to meet an increasingly dangerous and dynamic environment,' said Lisa E. Gordon-Hagerty, DOE Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and NNSA Administrator. 'NNSA needs modern lithium infrastructure to maintain the nuclear deterrent and LPF will ensure a vital capability for decades to come with increased processing efficiencies and reduced operating costs.'

Lithium is a non-nuclear alkali metal. NNSA uses one of its isotopes, lithium-6, for tritium production and weapon life extension programs.

The proposed 134,000-square-foot facility has an approved cost range of $955 million to $1.65 billion and is scheduled to be completed during 2031.

The former Y-12 Biology Complex, currently being prepared for demolition by DOE's Office of Environmental Management, is the preferred site for the facility.

Attachments

  • Original document
  • Permalink

Disclaimer

NNSA - National Nuclear Security Administration published this content on 30 January 2020 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 30 January 2020 22:09:02 UTC