Project Omega Molten-Salt Electrochemical Recycling Platform

awarded

Project Omega has received an ARPA-E award to advance its molten-salt electrochemical recycling platform for used nuclear fuel (UNF). The project involves validating key components of the platform, including kilogram-scale prototype testing at Idaho National Laboratory, to demonstrate a scalable pathway for recycling UNF, recovering valuable isotopes, and reducing long-term waste management challenges. The approach uses non-aqueous molten salts for electrochemical separation, minimizing proliferation risks and leveraging proven metal-refining techniques. The project aims to construct a pilot facility capable of processing multiple types of UNF to support advanced reactors and domestic isotope supply chains.