Wedoany.com Report-Aug. 13, Four British universities—Manchester, Oxford, Plymouth, and Loughborough—have received funding to collaborate on the ENLIGHT program, a five-year initiative to secure a domestic supply of nuclear graphite and address the management of irradiated graphite waste. Led by the University of Manchester, the program aims to advance technologies for next-generation nuclear reactors.

The ENLIGHT program, supported by a £8.2 million (USD 11 million) grant from the UK Research and Innovation’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, along with £5 million from industry partners, focuses on developing sustainable solutions for nuclear graphite. Graphite serves as a moderator in nuclear reactors, slowing neutrons to sustain nuclear chain reactions. While most global reactors use water moderators, advanced designs like high-temperature gas-cooled and molten salt reactors rely on graphite, which constitutes about one-third of reactor construction costs.

The program addresses two key challenges: establishing a sustainable, domestic graphite supply and managing the UK’s 100,000 tonnes of irradiated graphite waste, accumulated from aging reactors set for decommissioning by 2028. Currently, the UK depends entirely on imported graphite. ENLIGHT will explore decontamination, recycling, and reuse of irradiated graphite, develop new graphite materials for extreme reactor conditions, and study their performance to enhance longevity.

The partners stated: “The programme of research, collaboration, and skills development aims to secure the UK’s position at the forefront of nuclear innovation and a global leader in advanced reactor technology and clean energy innovation.” They added: “These advances could save the UK up to GBP2 billion in future waste management costs and offers a pathway to strengthen the UK’s unique position as a global hub for graphite research and innovation.”

Abbie Jones, Principal Investigator and Chair in Nuclear Graphite at the University of Manchester, said: “Nuclear graphite plays a vital role in the safety and efficiency of advanced reactors, yet the UK currently relies on overseas suppliers for this material. ENLIGHT will lay the foundation to re-establish UK-based graphite supply chain while developing sustainable solutions to recycle and reuse irradiated graphite - transforming a growing waste stream into a valuable resource. This programme will reduce waste, strengthen energy security, and support the country’s net-zero ambitions.”

The initiative also emphasizes training the next generation of graphite scientists and engineers, expanding the UK’s expertise in this field. By fostering innovation and sustainability, ENLIGHT aims to enhance the nation’s nuclear energy capabilities and contribute to global clean energy goals.