The Brazilian Navy is advancing in the nuclear energy sector in search of independence in the segment. Brazil recently inaugurated the first phase of the Uranium Enrichment Plant.

The expansion of the world's population requires an increasingly better investment in terms of clean energy sources at an affordable cost, as is the case of nuclear technology. Brazil is one of the global pioneers when it comes to uranium enrichment and, with the participation of Brazil's navy, contributes to mastering the cycle of nuclear fuel from the country. This initiative favors the generation of electricity in Nuclear Power Plants in Angra dos Reis, in the state of RJ, generating benefits to society in various sectors.

Uranium Enrichment Plant is inaugurated

Data from World Nuclear Association, state that Brazil is part of a group of 13 countries internationally recognized by the nuclear energy sector as holders of facilities for uranium enrichment with different industrial production capacities.

The completion of the first phase of Enrichment Plant, on the 25th of last month, in Resende (RJ), is seen as a milestone for the sector in the country, given that the expansion of the project will reduce dependence on contracting isotope enrichment services abroad for fuel production of Brazilian nuclear power plants.

The 10th cascade of ultracentrifuges at the plant was also inaugurated at the event, by Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil, a set of equipment that generate energy and increase the production capacity of the Angra 1 plant by 70%.

The Navy Technological Center in São Paulo (CTMSP), together with the Institute of Energy and Nuclear Research (IPEN/CNEN), were responsible for the development of nuclear technology for enriching uranium through the ultracentrifugation process.

According to the Director of CTMSP, Vice-Admiral Naval Engineer, Guilherme Dionizio Alves, over 22 years, four modules were delivered, totaling 10 cascades in a project that benefits Brazilian autonomy in the nuclear power industry, since it implements, under a commercial vision, a technology created by the Brazilian Navy.

Brazilian Navy is responsible for the production of nuclear technology

Still according to Dionizio, Brazil is in a prominent position, considering that it has one of the largest uranium reserves in the world, in addition to being one of the few countries capable of mastering full fuel cycle nuclear technology.

The Brazilian Navy is responsible for the production, commissioning and installation of the ultracentrifuge cascades. The quest to master this technology began at the end of the 70s, with a partnership between MB and IPEN, allowing the beginning of the development of ultracentrifugation technology.

In the 2000s, a contract for the supply of isotopic separation systems was signed between MB and INB, which included the production and installation of ten cascades for uranium enrichment.

The new cascade will allow for an increase and will contribute to Brazil's greater independence in fuel production at a time when the world has prioritized the resumption of global nuclear power. 

Navy plans to develop nuclear-powered submarine 

The technology developed by the Brazilian Navy for the Enrichment of Uranium will serve both for the generation of electricity, as well as for the construction of a submarine that uses nuclear propulsion.

The Navy's Nuclear Program began in 1979, due to Brazil's strategic need to have nuclear-powered submarines. Conceived to use completely Brazilian and independent nuclear technology, the Program was divided into two parts: the mastery of the nuclear fuel cycle and the development of a nuclear plant currently on board, thanks to the PNM, Brazil masters the complete cycle of fuel enrichment and is building a Nucleoelectric Power Generation Laboratory (LABGENE) at the Aramar Nuclear Industrial Center, in the municipality of Iperó (SP).