Mitternight Industries is partnering with KVA Stainless on developing a new welding process for the U.S. Department of Energy. The project is funded by a $1.15 million Small Business Innovation Research grant.
Satsuma-based Mitternight will provide design engineering and fabrication of a prototype reactor, which will implement KVA Stainless’ integrated welding and thermal processing procedures. During the development, the company will create integrated joining methods to enable fabrication of the reactor while maintaining the required dimensional accuracy, material and physical properties.
“A fusion reactor’s structural components must withstand extreme heat, radiation and temperature, which is why it’s critical to develop procedures that mitigate against metallurgical degradation due to these harsh conditions,” said Lance Covan, CEO and chairman of Mitternight.
The 24-month project will begin in the fourth quarter of this year and should be complete in the first quarter of 2023.
Founded in 1927, Mitternight Industries has evolved from a repairer of boiler products to a manufacturer of ASME-code vessels, including heat exchangers, chemical reactors, distillation columns and other pressure vessels. Its services include EPC operations, original equipment manufacturing fabrication and construction and field services.
