Hyperlynium

Element Hy415

The super-heavy artificial element necessary for the functioning of the Hyperspace Field Generator - essential for faster than light travel. This can only be synthesised in very expensive high-tech factories.

HYPERLYNIUM PRODUCTION : CIVIL

Average Hy production in milligrammes in corporately-owned factories per year

CyberWeb Construction (Ekaterina) 3.22
Virgin Spaceways Corporation (New Venus) 4.14
Flying Horse Shipping (Kurmanjiva) 3.9
Mitsumura Heavy Industries (Shamash) 5.36
General Mechanical Industries Corporation (Lotus) 9.06
Wimpey Fergusson Corporation (Sol) 4.32
Hyperspace Technologies Corporation (Wing) 115.95
Jaromir Industries (Republic) 6.02
Akiyoshi Interstellar Industries (New Edo) 4.13
Gungho Enterprise Corporation (Mitsu Mura, Paradise & Asteel) 9.14
Hyama Reconstruction Corporation (Freyr) 5.58
Barnaby Orbital Industries (Teutonia) 4.8
Phokon Teryll (Aggadah and Baal) 5.54
Talyn Weaponry (Haggai and Masada) 5.13
Zacamato Yassalat Corp (Agama, Haggai and Masada) 6.48
Wimpey Fergusson (Wolf) Ltd (Rimmer and Wolf359) 10.55
Independent Royal Shipyards Ltd (Shawwal and A712) 4.57

Average corporate output 207.89

HYPERLYNIUM PRODUCTION : MILITARY

Average Hy production in milligrammes reported in government-owned factories per year

Earth Empire (Sol) 16.54
Republic of New Venus (New Venus) 7.99
Mars Association of Free Colonies (New Mars) 2.94
Greater Federation of Asteel (Asteel) 2.26
Centauri Conglomerate (Centaur) 2.61
Sirian Socialist Republic (Sirius) 4.18
Wolf359 Commonwealth (Wolf) 2.98
Union of Xyon (Agama) 6.86
Union of Xyon (Deadwood) 2.61

Average government output 48.97

Average output from all sources 256.86

Hypertech Corporation Hyperlynium Factory Study

Prepared for: Treaty of Old London Alliance Wing, 3207

Caveat:
Any statements that are not based on historical fact are forward-looking statements. Although such statements are based on management’s current estimates and expectations, and currently available competitive, financial, and economic data, forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain. We, therefore, caution the reader that there are a variety of factors that could cause business conditions and results to differ materially from what is contained in our forward-looking statements.

Executive summary:
The ToOL Alliance has expressed reservations about the current distribution of hyperlinium manufacturing sites and wishes to make alternate provisions in the event of Exterminator attack. As acknowledged experts in the field of hyperlinium manufacturing plant design and operation, Hypertech Inc has been tasked with preparing a cost/feasibility study for three options requested by ToOL.

Note:
All cost estimates are based on a new, 'Universe-scale' production facility using Hypertech's proprietary 'Megalinium'(TM) technology, with a theoretical maximum 10 milligramme per annum nameplate production capacity, roughly equivalent to 4% of current space-wide capacity in a single unit.

Case 1: NEW DEVELOPMENT AT A BROWNFIELD SITE

This case assumes that some support facilities can be shared in common with an existing hyperlinium refinery, or else that such facilities can be expanded at lower cost than a new build. It also affords better opportunities for on the job training for new operational staff. While there is always a 'bedding-in' period for new hyperlinium plants, Hypertech believe that this could be minimsed in such a case, with full production achieved in five years or less.
Cost estimate: 15SV/year, including all support facilities and operator training scheme. This cost may decline after the first decade of operation.
Build time: 1.5 years.

Case 2: NEW DEVELOPMENT AT A GREENFIELD SITE

The costs will obviously increase significantly from Case 1, since a new support infrastructure must be built from scratch. New utilities plants, waste disposal units etc. Hyperlinium plants produce significant quantities of extremely radioactive waste, requiring expert handling and disposal, and units must be regularly overhauled for safety and operational reasons.
Furthermore, an enhanced operator training scheme would need to be instituted in order to develop local expertise with hyperlinium manufacture, which would necessitate skilled Hypertech personnel spending extended periods away from their normal duties, which would again require us to arrange cover at existing facilities, at a cost premium.
Finally, there is, in general, a reliability issue with new greenfield builds. While every effort would be made to keep the plant operational, Hypertech would not be able to guarantee full nameplate production from such a unit during the first decade of operation.
It is also strongly recommended that a site of 'Average Colony' or better be chosen for such a new build in order to minimise the problems mentioned above.
Cost estimate: 25SV/year. Includes all support facilities and enhanced operator training scheme.
Again costs may decline in the longer term.
Build time: 2 years

Case 3: NEW DEVELOPMENT AT AN UNINHABITED SYSTEM

We consider this Case to be impractical. The support infrastructure required for both the construction and operation phases would necessitate what amounts to the development of a new colony facility, with all attendant costs.
In addition, the reliability issue is likely to be even greater in such a case, to the extent that Hypertech consider it unlikely that such a unit would ever achieve nameplate production capacity.
Finally, recruitment and retention of key staff at such a facility may prove problematic.
Cost estimate: 40SV/year + dedicated LSSI support required.
Build time: 3 years

Corollary:

If more than one facility is planned concurrently, it is likely that costs could increase due to shortages of key personnel and critical raw materials. In such a case, Hypertech recommend the establishment of a new training academy for hyperlinium engineers, which we could supply expertise to help develop, at a general cost of about 5SV/year.