Fuel Manufacturing Innovations at AREVA Provide Reliable Global Electricity

Manuel Seubert is a process engineer in ceramics manufacturing for AREVA. He has been in the nuclear industry for 7 years. He also serves as treasurer of the NAYGN AREVA Richland chapter.

Manuel Seubert

Why are you a nuclear engineer? Why do you like working where you do?

I’m a process engineer in AREVA’s uranium dioxide fuel pellet manufacturing facility in Richland, Wash. I worked in a similar position at our AREVA facility in Germany before relocating to Richland. The opportunities and variety of challenges presented in my job is what I enjoy most. I am responsible for solving technical problems, investigating the source of process disconnects, as well as improving the performance of the new and existing manufacturing processes. I enjoy working in manufacturing in a technical engineering support role because it offers a wide range of exposure and it always presents interesting challenges.

Why do you think nuclear energy is important to America’s energy future?

Nuclear energy is important not only for America’s energy future, but for the energy future of any industrialized nation that has a need for a reliable and clean source of energy. Other energy sources may be just as reliable or just as clean, but the combination of reliable and clean is what makes nuclear energy unique and important.

How are you bringing innovation into the nuclear energy industry?

There are many ways to bring innovation into the nuclear energy industry. I participate in monthly meetings with my colleagues from the other AREVA sites in Germany and France where we exchange operational experiences and discuss best practices in fuel manufacturing within AREVA. With AREVA’s recent introduction of new fuel designs, it is important that the process engineers are aligned globally. AREVA just announced its delivery of the GAIA lead time assemblies for its next generation pressurized water reactor fuel design. We have also delivered lead time assemblies for our new ATRIUM 11 boiling water reactor fuel design, and are currently in the process of designing new fuel for the next generation nuclear plant. Innovations are unlimited in our industry and I am excited to participate in an organization that leads the change for a more reliable, safer and cleaner energy solution.

The above post by AREVA is a part of NEI’s Powered by Our People promotion which showcases the innovators within the nation’s nuclear energy workforce.

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