Design-build firm Burns & McDonnell, Kansas City, Mo., will provide detailed engineering to nuclear technology firm BWX Technologies Inc. (BWXT) for development of transportable, small-scale reactors that can provide thermal and electric power for remote-location users such as mines, military facilities and data centers.

Under a deal inked late last month, the firm advances its work to produce the BWXT Advanced Nuclear Reactor, a factory-fabricated microreactor system now in design for planned development at multiple sites by the Wyoming Energy Authority in the state. Each system would provide 50 MW of thermal power (MWth). Burns & McDonnell will engineer the balance of plant systems for the microreactor, including power plant layout and preconstruction planning. 

BWXT has been developing the microreactor since 2021 as part of the U.S. Energy Dept.'s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, with the effort gaining an $85.3-million funding award over seven years. Burns & McDonnell and BWXT completed phase one of the project for the state agency in early 2024 with phase two set to finish by the third quarter of 2025. Work involves completion of conceptual design of a lead microreactor unit, developing a regulatory engagement plan and "demonstrating the Wyoming supply chain’s ability to manufacture nuclear components,” BWXT said.

"As electricity demands grow and energy markets continue to evolve, small-scale nuclear reactors will provide new manufacturing opportunities as well as new energy production models for our industrial sector,” says Sean Schaub, authority nuclear industry coordinator.

The Wyoming agency has provided a nearly $10-million investment to BWXT to assess feasibility of deploying microreactors in the sparsely populated state to boost and diversify its energy production. The project total cost is estimated at $20.5 million, with state investment to be matched by other funding sources, according to the authority.

Burns & McDonnell said in a statement that the BWXT Advanced Nuclear Reactor is a passively safe design that can power remote facilities, while providing “economical, secure, carbon-free sources of heat and electricity.” 

In addition to supply chain development, Burns & McDonnell will support BWXT in constructability, schedule and cost estimate development, says Luke Krooswyk, its nuclear reactor project manager. “Being an integrated EPC allows Burns & McDonnell to approach the project with a construction-first mindset.”

The reactor is powered by so-called TRISO nuclear fuel, which is more resilient than traditional nuclear fuel and less likely to release radioactive materials in an accident, says BWXT. It also has a passive cooling system that does not require external power. “We are trying to minimize our use of novel technologies,” says Erik Nygaard, BWXT director of product development. “From our engagements with end users, one of the major things we’ve heard they want is predictability in operations and a highly reliable system.”

BWXT has also signed a cooperation agreement with the state as it assesses locations for a potential new TRISO nuclear fuel production facility to support expected microreactor demand, 

"With the demand for clean, reliable power at an all-time high, nuclear energy is poised to play a crucial role ... and microreactors offer an extended reach to new users,” says Scott Strawn, power group vice president and general manager at Burns & McDonnell. 

BWXT sees “tremendous pent-up demand” for microreactors and small nuclear reactors in the U.S.," says Nygaard. “We’ve been told by numerous parties that if we had a product to sell today, they’d buy it.” 

In recent years, Wyoming has become a growing center of advanced nuclear development, including the TerraPower Natrium nuclear reactor project that is backed by tech billionaire Bill Gates. It broke ground in June near the site of a former coal-fired power plant in Kemmerer for non-nuclear work, with Bechtel as project EPC contractor. 

The $4-billion project aims to demonstrate advanced nuclear technology that combines a sodium-cooled fast reactor with molten salt-based energy storage and includes BWXT as a supplier. In April, it became the first U.S. advanced nuclear power plant to seek a federal construction and operation permit to test its technology at commercial scale.