BWXT Selected for Conceptual Design of First Module of U.S. NNSA Lithium Processing Facility

BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT) has announced that it has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) to perform conceptual design work for the first module of a new lithium processing facility planned for the Y-12 National Security Complex.

According to available information, lithium post-processing operations are currently still being conducted in some aging facilities. To continue supporting missions such as direct reuse of lithium materials, purification, component production, and recycling, NNSA plans to modernize related facilities to meet its national security mission requirements.

Heatherly Dukes, President of BWXT Technical Services Group, stated that this project represents a significant investment in the modernization of U.S. nuclear security infrastructure, aimed at ensuring NNSA possesses the capabilities required to fulfill its missions over an extended period. She also noted that BWXT's long-standing experience in managing and operating complex, high-risk sites will support the design and construction of an operational facility.

For this project, BWXT will collaborate with Edgewater Technical Associates, Evans General Contractors, Process Engineering Associates, and Merrick & Co. BWXT's proposal was accepted following a competitive bidding process designed to advance the lithium processing facility in a phased manner.

Phase 1 has a duration of four months with a contract value of $4 million. During this phase, NNSA will evaluate conceptual designs proposed by two companies for the facility's processing and testing modules. Following the completion of Phase 2 design work, NNSA plans to select a single company and initiate Phase 3 contract negotiations, with the qualified development team responsible for constructing the relevant modules. Other modules of the lithium processing facility will be designed and constructed under separate contracts.