ARCHIVED - Government of Canada supports green energy innovative research and development in Oakville, Ontario

MP Terence Young also recognizes Tyne Engineering Inc. as a Canadian Innovation Leader

November 09, 2010 — Ottawa, Ontario

Canada’s nuclear industry could soon have a built-in-Canada solution to remove tritium — a potentially harmful radioactive isotope — from  CANDU ("CANada Deuterium Uranium") reactors, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada to Tyne Engineering Inc., in Oakville. The announcement was made by Terence Young, Member of Parliament for Oakville, on behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology). 

“Our government is investing in science and technology to create good jobs, strengthen the economy and improve the quality of life of Canadians,” said Mr. Young. “This investment will help bring solutions for enhanced safety of nuclear reactors and ensure continued competitiveness of CANDU reactors in the global market.” 

Tyne Engineering will receive up to $1.2 million from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) to design a new type of electrolyser for nuclear reactors that can withstand high doses of radiation.  CANDU nuclear reactors use water to transfer heat from the reactor core to steam turbines to generate electricity. Over time, this water becomes contaminated with a potentially harmful radioactive isotope called tritium. An electrolyser is a critical component of the system used in the removal of tritium from water, thus preventing it from finding its way into lakes and streams. 

The success of this project would provide a built-in-Canada solution for a Canadian export success story: the CANDU nuclear reactor. Sale of heavy water tritium-removal systems to existing CANDU reactors worldwide could mean Canadian export sales of over $84M. 

A Canadian Innovation Leader Certificate was also presented to Tyne Engineering to highlight its success as an innovative Canadian firm that has successfully linked scientific research to commercialization, jobs and economic growth. 

“With NRC-IRAP's assistance, Tyne Engineering will be able to channel its expertise in support of a Canadian icon — the CANDU Nuclear Reactor,” said Vince Robinson, VP Business Development of Tyne Engineering.  “It is our belief that a cost-effective solution to the reduction of tritium in the water systems of nuclear reactors advances safety and Canadian competitiveness in the surging nuclear power industry.” 

Founded in 1999 and employing 25 people in Oakville, Tyne Engineering designs and manufactures specialized instruments and equipment used in the nuclear industry and in the measurement and handling of tritium.  Tyne’s product range covers electronic as well as mechanical components, vessels and piping systems designed and built to the highest nuclear quality assurance standards. 

Backgrounder

National Research Council Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program 

National Research Council Canada’s (NRC) main outreach to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is through its Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP), which provides support to innovative companies in Canada undertaking research and technology development projects for commercial purposes. 

NRC-IRAP provides a range of both technical and business-oriented advisory services along with necessary financial support to qualified innovative Canadian SMEs. The program is delivered by a field staff of 240 business and technology experts in more than 100 communities across Canada. Working directly with SMEs, NRC-IRAP supports innovative research and development and helps companies become commercialization-ready with their new products and services. 

While the program operates three separate contribution programs — contribution to firms, contribution to organizations and the Youth Employment Program — NRC-IRAP’s main contribution component is in the form of a non-repayable contribution that reimburses the labour costs of a research and development project directly to firms. 

Science at work for Canada 

NRC-IRAP received an incremental investment of $200 million over two years through Canada’s Economic Action Plan. NRC-IRAP is committed to using this new funding to help the government build a competitive advantage for Canada based on excellence in science and technology (S&T). 

The funding includes $170 million to double NRC-IRAP’s contributions to firms and $30 million to help hire more than 1000 new post-secondary graduates via its Youth Employment Program. 

The commitment in Canada’s Economic Action Plan reinforces NRC-IRAP’s mandate to help SMEs develop technologies and successfully commercialize them in a global marketplace. It also broadens NRC-IRAP’s ability to provide S&T expertise to SMEs. NRC-IRAP estimates that this new money will allow it to support approximately 1400 additional SMEs beyond its existing base over two years. 

Canadian Innovation Leader (CIL) Certificate 

A Canadian Innovation Leader is an SME that demonstrated a specific advance in research and development within its industrial sector. This advance has contributed to the wealth of the country, from a corporate growth perspective, through job creation or through a particular investment in research and development that has improved the lives of Canadians. NRC created the Canadian Innovation Leader Certificate Program to recognize Canadian firms that have successfully developed and applied innovative technologies, linking scientific research to commercialization, jobs and economic growth. 

Tyne Engineering Inc. 

Founded in 1999 and employing 25 people in Oakville, Tyne Engineering Inc. designs and manufactures specialized instruments and equipment used in the measurement and handling of tritium in the nuclear industry.  Tyne’s product range covers electronic as well as mechanical components, vessels and piping systems designed and built to the highest nuclear quality assurance standards. 

When tritium decays, it emits beta radiation that damages the membranes of electrolysers. Tyne Engineering’s new electrolyser will also have applications in Heavy Water Upgraders used in CANDU nuclear power stations for purifying heavy water used in the plant design, and for removing tritium from light water and preventing tritium from finding its way into lakes or streams.

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