URENCO USA announces successful centrifuge spin test
4 February 2010
Eunice, New Mexico - LES today announced the successful completion of the first low frequency spin test. The test confirmed the electrical and mechanical readiness of the centrifuges employed to enrich uranium at its URENCO USA plant.
“This is a tremendous success,” said Reinhard Hinterreither, President and Chief Executive. “It confirms that we are on target to bring our first cascade on-line.” Reinhard also commented that the successful outcome of this test provides a template for successive centrifuge assemblies and deployments.
Gregory OD Smith, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nuclear Officer for LES, said: “The test runs a series of complex checks to ensure everything from the drive systems to the mechanical and power systems are working as required. Now we know we can run the machinery and systems up with confidence.”
The test was attended by Officials from the US Department of Energy and company leaders who expressed pleasure that the first cascade spin test was completed so successfully.
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LES, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of URENCO, Ltd. is constructing the URENCO USA facility near Eunice, New Mexico. When completed, LES will operate the nation’s most efficient and advanced uranium enrichment facility and will provide a secure domestic enrichment supply source to US nuclear energy companies.
Contact:
LES:
Name: Clint Williamson
Title: LES Vice President for Governmental Affairs
Direct Tel: +1 505-975-3335
Email:cwilliamson@nefnm.com
URENCO:
Name: Jayne Hallett
Title: Head of Group Communications
Direct Tel: +44 (0) 1628 402 297
Email:jayne.hallett@urenco.com
The URENCO Group
URENCO is an independent international and technology group with its head office based in Marlow, UK. It operates plants in Germany, the Netherlands and the UK, and in the near future at a fourth site in New Mexico, US. It operates in a pivotal area of the nuclear fuel supply chain, which enables the sustainable generation of electricity for consumers around the world.
Utilising centrifuge technology, URENCO provides safe, cost-effective and reliable uranium enrichment services for civil power generation within a framework of high environmental, social and corporate responsibility standards. Currently URENCO fulfils around 25% of the global enrichment market, and the goal is to continue to build market share, with the aim of establishing URENCO as the leading global supplier of enrichment and enrichment technology. www.urenco.com