diff --git a/conda/meta.yaml b/conda/meta.yaml
index 378a7922b..49fa83b90 100644
--- a/conda/meta.yaml
+++ b/conda/meta.yaml
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ requirements:
     - mpmath
     - plasmaboundaries >=0.1.8
     - plotly
-    - brep_part_finder >=0.4.1 # [not win]
+    - brep_part_finder >=0.4.4 # [not win]
     - brep_to_h5m >=0.3.1 # [not win]
     - moab * nompi_tempest_*
     # - jupyter-cadquery not available on conda
diff --git a/paramak/utils.py b/paramak/utils.py
index a231e071c..6f335618e 100644
--- a/paramak/utils.py
+++ b/paramak/utils.py
@@ -16,28 +16,18 @@
 import OCP
 
 
-def export_solids_to_brep(
+def export_solids_to_brep_object(
     solids: Iterable,
-    filename: str = "reactor.brep",
 ):
-    """Exports a brep file for the Reactor.solid.
+    """Returns a brep object from a iterable of solids with merged surfaces.
 
     Args:
         solids: a list of cadquery solids
-        filename: the filename of exported the brep file.
 
     Returns:
-        filename of the brep created
+        brep cadquery object
     """
 
-    path_filename = Path(filename)
-
-    if path_filename.suffix != ".brep":
-        msg = "When exporting a brep file the filename must end with .brep"
-        raise ValueError(msg)
-
-    path_filename.parents[0].mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
-
     # TODO bring non merge capability back
     # if not merge:
     #     geometry_to_save = cq.Compound.makeCompound([self.solid, self.graveyard.solid.val()])
@@ -46,8 +36,7 @@ def export_solids_to_brep(
     bldr = OCP.BOPAlgo.BOPAlgo_Splitter()
 
     if len(solids) == 1:
-        solids[0].val().exportBrep(str(path_filename))
-        return str(path_filename)
+        return solids[0].val()
 
     for solid in solids:
         # checks if solid is a compound as .val() is not needed for compounds
@@ -64,6 +53,33 @@ def export_solids_to_brep(
 
     merged_solid = cq.Compound(bldr.Shape())
 
+    return merged_solid
+
+
+def export_solids_to_brep(
+    solids: Iterable,
+    filename: str = "reactor.brep",
+):
+    """Exports a brep file for the Reactor.solid.
+
+    Args:
+        solids: a list of cadquery solids
+        filename: the filename of exported the brep file.
+
+    Returns:
+        filename of the brep created
+    """
+
+    path_filename = Path(filename)
+
+    if path_filename.suffix != ".brep":
+        msg = "When exporting a brep file the filename must end with .brep"
+        raise ValueError(msg)
+
+    path_filename.parents[0].mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+
+    merged_solid = export_solids_to_brep_object(solids)
+
     merged_solid.exportBrep(str(path_filename))
 
     return str(path_filename)
@@ -92,13 +108,10 @@ def export_solids_to_dagmc_h5m(
     from brep_to_h5m import brep_to_h5m
     import brep_part_finder as bpf
 
-    tmp_brep_filename = mkstemp(suffix=".brep", prefix="paramak_")[1]
-
     # saves the reactor as a Brep file with merged surfaces
-    export_solids_to_brep(solids=solids, filename=tmp_brep_filename)
+    brep_shape = export_solids_to_brep_object(solids=solids)
 
-    # brep file is imported
-    brep_file_part_properties = bpf.get_brep_part_properties(tmp_brep_filename)
+    brep_file_part_properties = bpf.get_brep_part_properties_from_shape(brep_shape)
 
     if verbose:
         print("brep_file_part_properties", brep_file_part_properties)
@@ -146,6 +159,10 @@ def export_solids_to_dagmc_h5m(
     if verbose:
         print(f"key_and_part_id={key_and_part_id}")
 
+    # gmsh requires an actual brep file to load
+    tmp_brep_filename = mkstemp(suffix=".brep", prefix="paramak_")[1]
+    brep_shape.exportBrep(tmp_brep_filename)
+
     brep_to_h5m(
         brep_filename=tmp_brep_filename,
         volumes_with_tags=key_and_part_id,
diff --git a/setup.cfg b/setup.cfg
index 97e4ec444..c7e0d6e02 100644
--- a/setup.cfg
+++ b/setup.cfg
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ install_requires=
     plasmaboundaries >= 0.1.8
     jupyter-client < 7
     jupyter-cadquery >= 3.2.0
-    brep_part_finder >= 0.4.1
+    brep_part_finder >= 0.4.4
     brep_to_h5m >= 0.3.1
     setuptools_scm